Sam on a winning streak

A South New Brighton teenager has performed a remarkable feat by winning back-to-back titles in a surf life saving competition.

Sam Holland, 17, from South Brighton Surf Life Saving, won six events at the SLSNZ Southern Pennant Series last Sunday, cleaning up in both the under-19 age group and the open women's category.

SLSNZ Southern club development officer Jacob Davies said winning in both categories was "quite remarkable".

As soon as Sam finished one race, she headed back up the sand to line up for the next.

"I did the open women's board and then walked back down the beach to do the under-19 board event.

"Then I did the same thing with the in the open swim," she said.

"For the ironwoman, I only had to do one race though, and I got the open women title and under 19 because I beat all of the competitors.

"I didn't really think about the fact that I was doing two events one after the other.

"I just went out and did it,"she said.

Her coach, Brad Wilson, says her winning form is down hard work and determination.

"It is a massive deal to win both groups," he said.

"She has put in a massive amount of hard work - this time last year, she was a different athlete.

"She had the determination and drive last year, but she wasn't training as hard," he said.

Mr Wilson said Sam was very clear about wanting to be the best this year.

"She came up to me and asked what she had to do to be the best she could be," he said.

"She is tough and very intelligent as well, which means she can strategise - she is very good with her strategy," he said.

"For her, the sky is the limit.

"She'll be a success in surf and in non-surfing related things - she has that drive to succeed," he said.

The Pennant Series ran over three competitions held at Waikuku Beach, South New Brighton beach and Taylors Mistake.

The six core events were the surf race, board race, ski race, ironman, beach sprints and beach flags.