Taking place in solid and unpredictable swell, the Naps were beaten by powerhouse crews Mona Vale and Currumbin in a thrilling final race.

Their podium finish was a milestone moment for sweep Mal Dunwoodie and rowers Michael Quinn, Richard, Lachlan and Mitchell Payne.

After a gruelling 11 elimination races over three days of racing, Richard Payne said the medal was the culmination of a lot of years of hard work.

"The crew has achieved a lot of excellent results over the past eight years of rowing together but this is obviously something special," he said.

"We have had another unreal year and knew we were in the top few chances heading in to [the] Aussies but you never now.

"On the Saturday we got hit by waves on the shore in a couple of races and looked out of it twice but managed to row out of trouble on both occasions."

"Come the final day, we had a lot of confidence and had a good rhythm going," Richard said.

"After getting knocked out in the semis last year, we were bloody determined to come home with a medal.

"The final was an awesome experience and a hell of a race from the get go.

"The three medallists got a bit of a jump at the turning cans and it was a three way sprint to the line," he said.

The crew also gained a bronze medal at the Australian Surf Rowers League Championship earlier in the season, capping a stellar year for the club.

Richard Payne said the crew trained six times a week for nine months to be in peak condition for the Aussies.

"It's been a huge effort to get to this point but it's all been worth it. Having our families and friends on the beach to celebrate with us was unbelievable," he said.

"Seeing what it meant to them was awesome; they've given up a lot to see us get to this point. The kids would have celebrated harder than we did.

"This is obviously an incredibly close crew and to win an Aussies medal with four other blokes you consider family is something I will never forget," he said.

"Looking around back at the hotel that night, and seeing how proud everyone from the competitors to our families and club members were, was a special moment.

"It goes to show that you don't have to come from a powerhouse club to have success in surf life saving - you just need to be prepared to put in the work."