The Sumner premier crew of George Thomas (left) and Steven Parratt head out over a wave to collect their patient during the South Island IRB Championships held at Waikouaiti Beach on Saturday.
St Clair Surf Lifesaving Club finished with 60 points to claim the title, heading off Sumner on 41 points and St Kilda on 26 points.
Sumner won all four premier events and also swept the women's events. But Arthur Ibbotson and Angus McKenzie dominated for St Clair in the under-21 events, winning all three of their races.
St Clair had more crews competing than Sumner and was therefore able to accumulate more points to claim the title. It actually only had one win against a Sumner crew and that was in the open team race.
The championships were scheduled to take place at Warrington Beach but were shifted to Waikouaiti Beach where the conditions were a lot cleaner.
