“There were five of us on the wave heading into the beach,” Hardiman said of the final stages of the race.

“There was two guys from NSW and Western Australia and me on the wave. Then it was a four-way sprint up towards the line. 

“I managed to put in a last-ditch effort to pull myself over the line. They judges couldn't split Isaac and I so it ended in a tie.”

Hardiman, who also finished second in mixed board relay, was delighted by the win.

“I’m really stoked,” he said. “I had a really good paddle and I was up the front and matched them for speed. I was just unlucky in the wave zone and then running up the beach before I got that last kick in.

“I’m happy with equal first as it gives me a good indication of where I’m at in my preparation for the Australian titles later this year.”

Conditions on the day provided an interesting challenge for Hardiman and his fellow competitors.

“It was dead flat and really hot,” he said.

“It was like a lake, there was a little wind blowing but not much and we were racing in 40-degree heat.

“It was one the most challenging races I have ever done. It felt weird competing in a race when it was so hot and dead flat, was completely different to what I’m use to in Victoria.

“The outcome of the race then becomes about who is the best paddler not on who is lucky with catching a wave.”

Hardiman was selected as captain of a young Victorian squad that competed at Moana beach in Adelaide last weekend, with Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club teammates Sophie Thomas and Jane McMeel joining him.

The 18-year-old enjoyed the responsibility bestowed upon him.

“It was good,” he said. “I enjoyed having that role and it was a cool achievement for me.

“I just wanted to make sure everyone was putting their best foot forward and they all gave a red-hot crack.”

McMeel competed in one event, the taplin (swim, board, ski and run combined team race) where the team finished fourth. Thomas was a part of that taplin team and also finished third in the team swim and eighth in the iron race and surf swim.