Otago have made a major impression on the National Scholastic Championships presented by Pub Charity as they threaten the front runners for the 2026 title at Gisborne.
Despite having one less team member, the team from the south has seven of twelve remaining in the event and has become a real chance for a strong podium finish and potentially their first teams title.
Led by the Owen siblings, the team has had exceptional results from the entire team including likes of Flint Sherborne France, Jordy Elder and Pipiata Ritchie who all go into the final day with hopes of individual titles.
Elder posted a 14.67 point heat total in the Under 14 Boys Quarterfinals late in the day with Midway Beach continuing to offer clean 1.0m – 1.5m waves and offshore winds all day. The result pushes the team up the rankings and the remaining eleven teams will be looking over their shoulders.
The defending champion Bay of Plenty Team continue to look strong alongside 2025 runners up Auckland, both teams finishing the day with seven surfers remaining in the event.
Sol Fritchley led the way for the Bay with a 15.27 point heat total to advance to the semifinals while event stand-out Louis Mcaquet also impressed in the Under 14 Boys Division.
Auckland continued their quest for a fifth straight podium finish and with title contenders across all eight divisions, their aim will be to topple Bay of Plenty and take their third title in five years.
Host Team Gisborne has remained in contention for a podium finish with five surfers remaining in the event and their local knowledge at Makorori Beach for the final day of the event could see them make the podium for the first time in several years. This would back up the NZ School Surfing Festival win by Gisborne Boys High back in March this year.
Eleven teams go into the final day with surfers alive in the draw. Unfortunately Hawkes Bay missed out this afternoon when their final surfer Hugo Dooney finished his campaign in 19th overall.
The event will return to Makorori Beach for the final day of the event with the surf expected to decrease further overnight to sit in the 1.0m range and winds will remain light offshore all day.
The final day of the event on Friday will be streamed live via Maori+. Full results can be viewed via Live Heats.
The National Scholastic Surfing Championships brings together school-aged surfers representing thirteen regions from Northland to Southland. Bay of Plenty is the defending champion following last year’s event in Taranaki. They have traded titles with Auckland since 2022.
The Scholastic Championships feature Under 14 through to Under 18 divisions, along with boys’ and girls’ longboard divisions.
First held in 1989, the National Scholastic Surfing Championships have a long history of showcasing New Zealand’s emerging surfing talent, with many former competitors going on to represent New Zealand internationally.
Event Information
The National Scholastic Championships is sanctioned by School Sport New Zealand and proudly supported by the New Zealand Sports Collective comprising Whakaata Maori, Bayleys Real Estate, Caltex, Nateva, Apollo Projects, Anchor and Pub Charity.
Further Information
For further information on the 2026 Scholastic 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.
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Surfing New Zealand is proudly partnered by:
Sport NZ
ACC
Sun Bum
Kiwi Holiday Insurance
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