Surfers vying for the title of top wave-catcher at a local California surfing competition were instead upstaged by a pod of dolphins swimming under the waves.

Hundreds of spectators gathered on the beach of Santa Barbara were treated to a dolphin show during the women's final of the 2014 Rincon Surf Classic on Sunday.

As the female surfers competed, the silhouettes of multiple dolphins could be seen from under the waves, adding even more suspense to the annual local competition.

The dolphins' timely appearance with the surfers drew huge applause from the surprised crowd onshore, according to local reports.