
Crowds packed the esplanade for the 53rd edition of the race, which was delayed a day due to surf conditions.
"It was a great display of surf life-saving," St Clair Surf Life Saving Club co-chairman Cam Burrow said.
"There was a bit of drama due to the surf conditions with people falling off craft, which adds to the event."
The race feature more than 60 lifeguards on canoes, skis and paddling boards, along with four swimmers, all tacking surf that ranged from four to six feet.
Tadgh Kelly became the first St Kilda guard to win the race, coming home on a single ski in 29min 8sec.
The Waimari Spice Girls (Christchurch) were the first canoe home and winners of the handicap trophy, Joe Hall (Taylors Mistake) was the first board paddler home, and open-water specialist Ruby Heath was the first swimmer home in 1hr 15min.
The surf patrolling season in Dunedin starts on November 5 with clubs patrolling noon-5pm every weekend until March 20.