The inaugural event was held last year to raise funds for Kakanui School and is becoming bigger and better each year, organiser Jo Perkins said.
Now it is likely to be the school's major fundraising event, with money going into the Home and School account, possibly being used this year to upgrade computer equipment.
The surf carnival re-creates an event which ended about 11 years ago.
Thirty competitors entered this year.
Former Kakanui surfer Mark Elder, now of Dunedin, won the open title, with JP, of Timaru, second.
Two Kakanui surfers, Leo and Isaac Mills, were third and fourth respectively.
The day out at Campbells Bay has beach-style competitions including beach dig, sand-castle building, tug-of-war, beach dancing and a relay race.
Twenty-five stalls sold everything from food and drinks to crafts.
But it was the sea and sand which was the big attraction, especially for families who enjoyed temperatures that soared into the mid-20s.
Mrs Perkins said it would be about two weeks before the final proceeds from the festival were known, but estimated it could be double last year's.
"One of the great things was virtually every parent pitched in to help - it was a real team-building exercise. They all want to be involved next year," she said.
