But the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club member’s irresistible form continued with his new event one of five wins for the talented 16 year-old at Lorne on the weekend.

In the under 17 age group, he finished first in both ski and board, as well as taking out the board rescue with Paddy Carr and the board relay with Carr and Mick Slockwitch.

Hardiman also won the open board relay alongside Stephen Kerr and John Hart, and finished second in the open board and under 17 taplin relay (alongside Paddy and Lachlan Murrihy).

He also competed in the ski relay, taplin and board rescue for the first time.

Hardiman said he was thrilled with his wins, particularly in the ski.

“I got out at the start and just kept going and managed to win,” he said.

“At the start, I wasn’t expecting much, I was just hoping to go around the course without falling off.”

A small surf worked in Hardiman’s favour for the race – if not for his preferred board event.

“It sucked in the board because we had to do a long paddle all the way to the beach,” he said.

It was a successful day for the Warrnambool club , with a host of medals across junior and open grades.

Jane McMeel had a strong day in the surf, winning the under 19 board and finishing second in the open board.

She took out the open board relay, alongside Sophie Thomas and Shayla Casamento, and won the open taplin with Thomas and Allanah Johnson.

McMeel finished second in the board rescue with Thomas, who also won the swim and came third in the open board.

Casamento, Greta Stromvall-O’Brien and Elsa Stromvall-O’Brien finished third in the board relay.

Paddy O’Brien won the under 15 board and took out the under 15 board rescue with Brayden Casamento. They teamed with Connor Cook to claim a win in the board relay.

They finished ahead of fellow a Warrnambool team in Harry McNamara, Jobe Steel and Ollie Bridgewater.

Casamento, McNamara, O’Brien and Bridgewater finished second in the under 15 cameron relay.

Kerr, who finished third in the open board, said the results were particularly pleasing as the carnival drew a strong turnout, especially in the junior classes.

“In the under 15 board relay, we took out first, second and fourth, which shows really good depth right across the club and the juniors,” he said. “We’ve got two more carnivals and then the state titles – we’re in pretty good stead.”