Mount Maunganui’s Jaxon Willows and Taranaki’s Izaro Williamson – Sasia have claimed rare double doubles by winning the senior and junior longboarding divisions at the 2026 National Surfing Championships presented by Trust Tairawhiti.
In challenging 1.0m conditions early this evening, the two surfers, aged 17 and 14 respectively took unexpected wins in the senior divisions after earlier winning their age groups. It is a feat only achieved once previously by Christchurch surfer Jack Tyro in 2022.
Willows surfed four heats during the day in a marathon effort before coming up against three stalwarts of the longboarding community. It was local surfer Dylan Barnfield and Australian based Jordan Griffin that found a few corners to keep in touch with Willows and eventually Barnfield finished runner up with Jordan Griffin in third. Daniel Procter had to settle for fourth in the final.
Williamson – Sasia claimed the women’s title with a nice righthander that included a clean nose ride and swift foot work scoring 6.27 points out of a possible 10. With a 10.94 point heat total, she eclipsed Ariana Walker (Mnt) who finished in second. Jay Ryan finished in third and Te Waiotu of Gisborne finished in fourth.
The four titles shared by Willows and Williamson – Sasia were among fifteen awarded throughout a long day of surfing which capitalised on the peak of the swell this week.
Defending stand up paddleboard champions Karlos Aarsen (WGM) and Stella Smith (Gis) repeated the dose at Makorori today beating their opponents.
Matt Scorringe (Mnt) secured his second title in the senior men’s divisions, this time in the over 30 Men’s. Scorringe went out with a solid game plan to hunt some lefthanders surfing downwind on his forehand before going to his backhand on the rights. He started out with an 8.0 point ride and followed it up with a 7.40 to hold the lead for the entire final. Scorringe beat Blair Stewart (Gis), Nick White (Gis) and Logan Mills (Mnt).
In the senior women’s divisions it was Lou Aitken (Whngrei) who won the Over 30 Women’s Division, Claire Youmans (Gis) won the Over 40 Women’s Division. In the Over 50s it was Rachel Ormsby who took the win and Gaylene Sayer won the over 60 Women’s.
Maz Quinn fended off younger brother Jay to win the Over 40 Men’s Division posting a 14.27 point heat total in the final. Maz finished the final with a 7.10 point ride late to extend his lead over Jay who finished in second, Sam Johnson (Gis) in third and Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck) in fourth.
Matt Bennett (Mnt) took the win in the Over 50 Men’s Division posting a 14.0 point heat total. Competing for the first time in many moons, the smooth goofy footer managed to hold off Rick Lasch (Rag) in the final, himself posting a 12.90 point heat total to finish runner up.
The Over 60s title was one of the more widely celebrated wins today with Steve ‘Teddy’ Colbert taking the win. Colbert last won a national title in 1984 with 42 long years between drinks for the local Gisborne surfer.
Gary Stevenson (Gis) claimed the Over 70 Men’s Division on the strength of one wave after incurring an interference early in the final.
Bodyboard titles went to Michael Williams in the Men’s and defending champion Gisiele Summerton (Dun) in the Women’s Division.
The surf is expected to decrease for day 4 (Wednesday 14th January), however conditions are forecasted to remain clean all day with northwest winds.
Day 4 will comprise the premier Open Women’s Division kicking off the day followed by the Open Men’s Division.
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 4 – Open Men and Women
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
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
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