Hayden Meikle counts down the 150 greatest moments in Otago sport.
No 109: St Kilda rules the waves (1982)
But the famous family also had a big impact on surf life-saving, with revered swimming coach Duncan Laing and children proving as talented in the waves as in the pool.
A St Kilda squad full of Laings became the first - and, to date, only - Otago club to win the national surf life-saving crown in 1982.
In home water at Warrington, St Kilda claimed the Allan Gardner Memorial Trophy for the top overall club at the national championships, finishing 7.5 points clear of Waikanae, with Waihi third.
Points at the event are only awarded for podium finishes.
St Kilda was so dominant in the swimming events it filled the top three places - Dean Greenwood, Lars Humer and Ricky Laing - in the senior men's surf race.
Laing also won the open belt race, while St Kilda also won the open rescue tube race and the open surf team race. Nicholas Lawn, Ian Woolford and another Laing, Graeme, were consistent performers.
Events were held over four days at Warrington. About 3000 fans cheered the home side to victory in warm, calm conditions on the final day.
"It's been an outstanding performance by the team," Duncan Laing told the <i>Otago Daily Times</i> after the event.
"They've all worked extremely hard."
