The New Zealand Championships is the longest running and most prestigious domestic surfing event in New Zealand.
Dating back to 1963, the championships have a storied history, rich with outstanding performances from the best surfers in the country.
The event now reflects the New Zealand surfing community as a whole, offering 32 divisions for males and females ranging from Under 14s through to Over 60s plus standup paddleboard, longboard, bodyboard, kneeboard and Adaptive disciplines.
The five day event is generally held during the middle of January marking the start of the competition season.
The Championships were first held at Mount Maunganui but have been held as far north as Kaitaia and as far south as Dunedin.
Often gaining significant nationwide exposure, the event has continually brought its champions into the nation’s spotlight. Whether that is young up and comers bursting onto the scene or the thirty-year quest to break the five-title tie between Wayne Parkes and Iain Buchanan, a feat achieved by Billy Stairmand in 2017.
Go it alone, make a roady out of it with your friends or treat it as a family holiday, there are numerous ways to take in the week-long event and have a great week of summer waves and sunshine.
What: The National Surfing Championships 2022
Where: Westport
When: 11 – 15 January
Who: 32 divisions from Under 14s through to Over 60s, SUP, Longboard, Bodyboard, Kneeboard and Adaptive
How: Entries open early December. Entries close Wednesday 5th January @ 11:59pm.
Below is a schedule of events that will take place with surfing being held from 8am – 4pm daily.
Day 1 (Tuesday 11 Jan) – Open Men, Junior boys divisions
Day 2 (Wednesday 12 Jan) – Addition of all other divisions
Day 3 (Thursday 13 Jan) – All divisions
Day 4 (Friday 14 Jan) – All divisions plus kneeboard
Day 5 (Saturday 15 Jan) – All divisions
