The five-member Port Fairy Shearwaters won the open men’s surf boat category as part of round six of the Life Saving Victoria (LSV) summer series.

More than 300 competitors, including from Melbourne and Adelaide, converged on East Beach for the two-day round on Saturday and Sunday.

Port Fairy SLSC captain Paul Buchanan said he was “very happy with the carnival”, the first in 40 years at East Beach.

“There was lots of positive feedback from competitors. It was a great spectacle for the viewing public,” he said.

He said competitor numbers were lower than other summer series rounds, which LSV believed was due to the distance from Melbourne.

“They put that down to the distance to travel and also the national titles for the surf boats were the week before in New South Wales,” he said.

“That affected the surf boat side of things. But we were happy with those who came. They all had a great time.”

Buchanan said the club would apply to again host an LSV carnival in coming years. He said the weekend delivered Port Fairy a late-summer economic boost.

“That’s why Moyne Shire is keen to support community events, because of what they bring into the town,” he said.

“This being a two-day event, everyone camped at the Gardens caravan park. It’s a great boon for the town.”

The Shearwaters won gold at the Victorian masters’ championships a fortnight ago and backed up that feat on the weekend.

The crew — Greg Dalton, Dean Dwyer, Scott Hetherington, Shaun Murrihy and Buchanan — beat rivals from Port Campbell, St Kilda and Half Moon Bay.

They were among a handful of Port Fairy members who tasted success.

Jake Hetherington earned placings in the under 19 men’s single ski (second) and surf board (third).

Hetherington also teamed up with Daniel Murrihy to finish second in the under 19 men’s single ski relay.

Daniel Murrihy and Lachlan Murrihy earned third in the under 19 men’s double ski, while Lachlan won the 2km beach run.

Mimi Dixon was another standout, in the under 15 girls’ section. She won the beach flags and beach sprint and was third in the 2km beach run.

Blair Hetherington, Kristen Pannan, Donna Dixon and Eva Dixon also earned places in their events.

Warrnambool SLSC also enjoyed strong results, headlined by Matt Hardiman’s win in the under 17 boys’ surf board.

Jane McMeel won the under 19 women’s 2km beach run and was second in the surf board.

McMeel, Freya Parrotte and Greta Stromvall-O’Brien then placed third in the open women’s surf board relay.

Brothers Phil and Steve Kerr placed third in the open men’s double ski. They also teamed with John Hart to win the single ski relay.

Steve Kerr then made it three placings from three events by winning the open men’s surf board.

Anya Cook, Claudia Owen, Jemima McCoy and Elsa Stromvall-O’Brien also emerged with placings at under 15 girls’ level.

Mick Slockwitch earned three placings in under 15 boys’ events while Will Berryman took out the under 17 men’s 2km beach run.

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au