The St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club made a successful return to the national stage at the weekend.
Competing at the national championships for the first time in 12 years, the club returned with two medals and an overall placing of 27th.
Danyon Noakes won Otago's only gold medal, in the under-16 beach flags, beating Lachlan Halse, from Papamoa.
Zach Mason won the club's other medal, a silver in the under-19 men's 2km beach run.
Hannah Prout went close to a medal, finishing fourth in the under-16 women's 2km beach run, while Duncan New finished fifth in the under-19 men's 2km beach run.
The club accumulated five points, just one behind neighbour St Clair.
It was a positive result for the club, which has been rebuilding in recent years.
A team of 22 had gone to Christchurch for the championships, and it was hoping to send a team to next year's championships in Gisborne.
St Clair won Otago's other four medals.
It claimed a silver in the under-19 surf team event, while managing thirds in the under-19 women's rescue tube and under-19 men's board relay.
Max Wolf won the club's only individual medal, a bronze in the men's under-16 ironperson.
Mount Maunganui was a convincing winner of the overall championship with 156 points.
Mairangi Bay followed with 96, and Waikanae was third with 87.
