A contingent of 77 competitors will represent Otago clubs at the national championships starting in New Brighton today.
The event has attracted 1276 entrants from around the country, including 405 from the South Island.
St Clair boasts Otago's biggest team, with 28 competitors.
It has had a successful season to date, notably reclaiming its South Island title in February.
The club also won both the southern region pool and junior championships.
However, it was unable to complete the set, getting pipped by St Kilda at last weekend's South Island IRB championships.
Competing against the country's best will be another step up, although the successes bode well.
St Kilda will send 19 competitors, Brighton has entered 22 and Warrington eight.
The event, which was first held in 1915, is to be hosted by Christchurch for the 11th time.
It had originally been slated to host the 100th event in 2011, but it was transferred after the second earthquake struck just three weeks before it was scheduled.
The move back south was one which has had a positive influence on participation from southern teams.
''As a result of holding the event in the South Island, we're seeing a lot more participation from our Southern Region clubs, which is fantastic,'' Surf Life Saving New Zealand Sport manager Mike Lord said.
''Over half of the competing masters athletes are from the South Island.''
The event was split into open and masters categories, with the masters getting under way today.
Mount Maunganui won the open title for the fifth consecutive year last year, while Omanu Beach won its 12th masters title.
Several New Zealand representatives would be competing, making for a high-quality event.
''These athletes having been training hard all season and competing at local and regional events in the build up to this year's national champs,'' Lord said.
''They will be racing hard and giving it their all. But it's also a great opportunity for them to catch up with their friends and fellow athletes and celebrate another great season.''
The championships will run through to Sunday.
-By Jeff Cheshire
