He broke the race record for the swim with a time of 1hr 9min 49sec. The previous best time of 1hr 10min 7sec was set by St Clair's Pierre Tapper in 1998.
Some tricky swells and currents made Applegarth's time all the more impressive, and he received a loud cheer from the 150 spectators who had lined the Esplanade.
St Clair pair Heath Ratten and Phil Pirie were the first back to the beach in their double surf ski. They paddled out to the island and back in 24min 40sec to claim the coveted White Island Shield for the fastest time.
The race record of 21min 15sec, set by former Olympic kayaker Geoff Walker in 1980 on a single surf ski, remains elusive.
Beyond the surf break, competitors paddled into 50cm swells as they completed the first 2.5km of the journey to White Island.
Mt Maunganui pair Tom Stillwell and Dan Peacock were second back to the beach on their double surf ski in 26min 13sec.
"It was great to be able to have some time on the ocean," Stillwell said.
"We don't know what the near future holds for us in terms being able to train in the surf at the Mount."
The national champion Mt Maunganui club has been mostly confined to dry land training since leaking oil from the Rena-caused beach closures along the Bay of Plenty coast.
Third home overall, and the first individual, was Ryan Shanks, from Brighton, on his single ski in an impressive time of 26min 28sec.
First individual women home, and fifth paddler overall, was Carla Laughton from St Clair in 28min 57sec.
The St Clair Salty Dogs crew was the first canoe home in 30min 31sec. The crew is made up of paddlers in their 50s.
Hamish McCulloch (Brighton) was the fastest board paddler.
The 17-year-old paddler headed off St Clair's Sam McCutcheon to win by a minute in 39min 25sec.
First women's board paddler home was 16-year-old Jessie Schneiders, from St Clair, in 50min 11sec.
