It was a short second day at the 2026 National Surfing Championships presented by Trust Tairawhiti being held at Gisborne, the strong overnight winds whipping the already small swell down to an incontestable size.
It wasn’t until the onshore winds whipped up in the afternoon, that a small swell allowed the first round of the Under 14 Divisions. The short day equates to an action packed day three pending on Tuesday (13th January).
A total of fifteen titles will be awarded on day 3 comprising all senior age groups as well as the longboard, SUP and bodyboard divisions.
This afternoon it was all about the groms, the only participants small enough to ride the small 0.5m swell with any conviction. Mount Maunganui surfer Ffeon Clifford dominated in the boys division surfing to a 16.0 point heat total. He was matched by Zara Owen in the girls division, Owen herself notching up a 15.33 point heat total.
Other early round stand outs in the divisions included Millie Dyck and Nami Marsden in the girls and Noah Crespo (Rag), Louis Macquet (Mnt), Solomon Ryan (Mnt) and Roy Thomas (Gis) in the boys.
The surf is expected to build significantly for day 3 with a south swell building but accompanied by onshore north east winds.
Day three will see the completion of all men’s and women’s senior age group divisions, all longboard divisions and the SUP and Bodyboard. Detailed daily schedules, live scores, and results will be available via www.liveheats.com/surfingnz. Due to the challenging swell conditions, schedules are subject to change daily and throughout the day as we look to maximise daylight hours and optimal conditions.
Just under 400 entries across 28 divisions have been confirmed. The event features competition across shortboard, longboard, stand up paddleboard (SUP), Kneeboard bodyboard and adaptive disciplines, with divisions spanning from Under 14s through to Over 70s.
Special awards at the event include the title of the top boardrider club in the nation as well as the Peter Byers Trophy awarded to the surfer with the most outstanding performance across the week.
The event marks the first of eight national events around the New Zealand coastline as part of the Epic Break summer campaign showcasing surfing talent and celebrating the surfing community between January and April.
The 2026 event is hosted by Gisborne Boardriders Club alongside Trust Tairawhiti. They are joined by event partners Neighbourhood Cantina, Chris Fougere Orthopaedics, Kiwi Holiday Insurance, ACC and Sun Bum.
Competition runs daily from 8.00am to 5.00pm, with the Open Men’s and Women’s finals expected to take place on Saturday 17th January.
Surfing Timetable
Day 3 – Senior Men and Women Divisions, Junior Boys and Girls, Longboard, SUP, Bodyboard
Day 4 – Open Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls
Day 5 – Open Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls
Day 6 – Open Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls, Kneeboard
Day 7 – Open Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls, Adaptive
Social Calendar
Tue 13th Jan – Cold Water Movie Night, The Dome (7pm)
Wed 14th Jan – Skate Expression Session
Thurs 15th Jan, Nias Surf Movie Night, The Dome / Neighbourhood Cantina Night
Fri 16th Jan, Coast Kids Surf Day / Ambrose Golf Team Tournament (3pm)
Sat, 17th Jan, After Party, Smash Palace – Hitman Johnny Gibbs, Flaxxies and The Butlers (7pm)
The 2026 National Surfing Championships commences both the domestic NZ Surf Series, NZ Grom Series and NZ Longboard Series with events scheduled around the country this summer.
Further Information
For further information on the 2026 National Surfing Championships please contact Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.
Imagery
High resolution action images of the surfing will be available to media free of charge upon request.
Social Media
Keep up with all the action by following @surfingnz on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Use the hashtag #Nats2026 and #EpicBreak to follow the story.
Surfing New Zealand is proudly partnered by:
Sport NZ
ACC
Sun Bum
Kiwi Holiday Insurance
Ends