It's what Warrnambool's Stephen Kerr, Phil Kerr and John Hart did following Saturday's Dolphin Ocean Classic.

But they didn't hit the sand to relax ? they trained.

"We wanted to get used to the beach and the conditions because we'll be coming back for the Australian titles in March," Stephen Kerr said yesterday.

"Now come March, we'll be a bit more familiar with the beach."

The Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club members had encouraging finishes at the classic, held at Northcliffe Surf Lifesaving Club.

Phil competed in the 20-kilometre ski, finishing about 20th courtesy of a good start, while Stephen and Hart completed 10 kilometres on the board.

"John had a really good paddle," Stephen Kerr said of the 16-year-old, who tasted his first distance race.

"He had a bad start but worked his way through the field then came home very well."

Kerr fulfilled his aim of finishing in the top 10 as he crossed the line eighth.

"I got myself up to about 20th at the half-way mark," he said.

"We came back with the swell so once we turned that can, everyone went for it.

"I was feeling pretty good at the half-way mark and came home well.

"I think I was about two minutes off the leader, which I was happy with.

"It's been very worthwhile, especially with us having a couple of good days of training."

Kerr said there were no events until December, when the short racing season started.

He said he was likely to enter the Lorne Anaconda Adventure Race on December 6.