Set to unfold at the iconic Makorori Beach (Redbus) it will be a spectacle of grommet surf action. As the final event on the New Zealand Junior Surf Series calendar, this highly anticipated competition marks the last opportunity for the country’s top junior surfers to earn crucial ranking points for the NZ Grom Series and put themselves in the running for NZ Junior Team Selection.
Held over the weekend of 2nd-3rd May, the event will bring together the nation’s most talented young surfers from Northland to Southland, battling it out in the Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18 Boys & Girls divisions. The Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro not only crowns division champions, but it also plays a role in shaping the future of Aotearoa’s junior competitive surfing scene, our groms now also have the opportunity to witness the first ever WSL World Tour event on our shores in mid-May as inspiration for them to set their goals for the future.
The event site is set against the stunning backdrop of Makorori Beach, renowned for its long peeling right-handers and powerful beach breaks, as the competition takes full advantage of Gisborne’s consistent autumn surf. May typically delivers a magic mix of offshores and good groundswells, perfect for pushing junior surfers to perform at their peak in optimum conditions.
With the winter swell season creeping ever closer, South Pacific storm systems have recently sent a few solid swells up the coast for some significant surf conditions but checking the current forecast, Saturday and Sunday look to be sending us fun waves in the two-foot range with light variable winds which will be awesome for the groms to showcase their surfing skills.
What sets the Gisborne Junior Pro apart is its combination of local community energy and professional-level competition. This year’s comp is once again proudly presented by Sequence Surf Shop, a cornerstone of the Gisborne surf community and local supporter of many community events, alongside brand support from Creatures of Leisure and Sex Wax as well as the local Gisborne Board Riders club.
With national rankings, possible team selection and local pride on the line, local surfers and groms from around the country alike will be challenging one another to show off their surfing abilities to the panel of NZ’s top judges in order to win this one. Sequence Surf Shop owner Blair Stewart states “We want to see who’s really willing to push their surfing to the next level.”
With the exclusion of some of our NZ top junior seeds including Ffeon Clifford and Jimmy Wernham in the U14 Boys, Lola Groube and Alani Morse in the U16 Girls, Maya Mateja in the U18 Girls and Alexis Owen in the U18 Boys, there is some very valuable points on offer for those looking to make a jump up the rankings on the 2026 NZ Grom Series ratings. This will be an event where competitors in those top ten spots (especially the Top Five) will want to capitalise on that opportunity to take the win and 4000 points on offer for the win!
As a key part of the wider New Zealand Grom Series, which includes the iconic Billabong Grom Series and the South Island’s Connect Group Grom Series, the Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro is another chance for young athletes looking to make their mark in surfing here in New Zealand.
Beyond the competition, the Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro is a celebration of surf culture, community and our enthusiastic groms of Aotearoa.
Spectators are encouraged to head down to Makorori Beach from 8:00am to 5:00pm each day to cheer on the surfers, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy giveaways and good times together.
Further Information:
For further information on the 2026 Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro, please contact Surfing New Zealand’s Gavin Bisman on 027-446-4174 or email gavin.bisman@surfingnz.co.nz
Imagery:
High-resolution images will be available to media upon request.
Images will be distributed free of charge courtesy of Surfing NZ.
Please contact Gavin Bisman for further details. Event Details: