Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NSW junior regional surfing titles were shifted to a web version, with all athletes asked to submit videos of themselves at beaches around the state this year - which were in turn judged online according to the criteria set out by the Surfing Australian 2020 rulebook.

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"The format was quite unique, as we had a chance to go and search for the waves we wanted," Buckpitt said.

"But with the lockdown restrictions and lack of swell around at the moment, the task proved difficult.

"In saying that, I did enjoy having more than 20 minutes to find a wave and produce a decent score."

In the end, Buckpitt, with the help of her photographer mother Justine, submitted two waves from a recent surf at Ulladulla.

"I got my two waves during two different surfs, which equated to about two hours of time in the waves - after spending countless days beforehand hunting decent swell," she said.

"I really wanted to submit a left and right-hand wave but the ocean didn't cooperate - I was content and confident in my two left-handed waves.

"Both waves felt good and I hoped the judges felt the same way about them.

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"I didn't think I'd done enough to win though, as I knew all the other girls had been ripping and had a number of good waves for themselves, in their local areas."

But following the judging, Buckpitt, a year nine student at St John's, was named the winner inaugural under 16 girls category, with a score of with 17.50 - ahead of Mullaway's Bonnie Hills (13.73), Gerringong's Holly Wishart (13.24) and Austinmer's Zahlia Short (11.74).

"I found out I'd won the competition at school on Monday, when a friend messaged me congratulating on the victory - it took a while to sink in, as I didn't expect it at all," the 14-year-old said.

"Once I jumped online that afternoon and checked the results, I was stoked to see the judges appreciated my waves and how I surfed them."

Buckpitt will now continue to train in isolation ahead of a potential return to competition at the state titles, scheduled for Coffs Harbour in August.

"Lockdown has actually helped my training, as I have time to do my strength work at home and can surf before school now, instead of rushing for the bus," said the Bernie Regan Sporting Trust grant recipient.

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"I know it sounds crazy but I have a better routine now, which should put me in good shape for whenever we return to competition."

Other South Coast products to secure a place on the podium were Gerringong's Lucy and Tiana Darragh, who finished second and third in the under 12 and under 14 girls categories respectively.