On Saturday he became the first man to be crowned an official state champion in the burgeoning surfing discipline, winning the Stand Up Paddleboarding NSW titles at One Mile Beach.

"To take the first ever state title is a real honour," Apps said.

"The level of skill and competition has risen out of sight."

Newcastle's Sondra Purser took out the women's division to write her own chapter of Hunter surfing history.

Surfing NSW operations manager Peter Hunt said due to a water-tight relationship with Port Stephens Council and One Mile's ideal conditions, the event would return, possibly a lot bigger, in 2011.

"Stand up paddleboarding is in its absolute infancy and we are hoping to build it through this event," he said.

"We would love to introduce extra age divisions, still-water races and have stand up paddleboarding lessons.

"In the future we could make this a two day festival of stand up paddleboarding."

Mr Hunt said the event drew 30 competitors to Port Stephens at a traditionally quiet time for the Port's tourism industry. The event also serves as a qualifier for the Australian Stand Up Paddleboard Titles, held as part of the Australian Surf Festival at Port Macquarie in August.