Gisborne turned up the heat in a big way to open the 2026 National Surfing Championships presented by Trust Tairawhiti today with temperatures at the beach unofficially reaching 37 degrees at Makorori.
The searing heat was matched by some scintillating surfing in the water by the surfers in the senior men’s divisions. Despite the waves not getting over 2ft, the Makorori sand bars made for perfect little waves and all-day offshore winds meant a full day of action unfolded in front of the crowded sand dunes, people doing what they could to escape the summer sun.
Gisborne surfer Nick White was one of several local standouts, surfing to an 18.4 point heat total in the first round of the over 30 Men’s Division. He was joined by equally impressive performances from Blair Stewart (Gis) and Matt Scorringe (Mnt).
The Quinn brothers combined for some polished performances in the Over 40s Division, Jay who posted 17.20 and 14.60 points in his two heats and Maz who also advanced to the final, his top score a 16.47 point total in his semifinal.
“Too easy to compete when it is at your home break,” said Maz who has not taken part in a National Championships this decade.
“The bank is all right, it is a little slow out there but there are flurries of waves and just enough for everyone in their heats,” he added.
“It’s a cracker today, when it is this hot, it usually goes howling sea breeze, so we are lucky to have little waves, it is what it is, it is definitely rideable,” commented Maz on the Day 1 conditions.
The Over 50 and 60 Men’s Divisions were surfed through to the final four surfers at the end of the day. Rick Lasch (Ham) returned to the Nationals fold with a convincing performance alongside local surfer James Fowell who together, are joined by Matt Bennett (Mnt) and Justin Summerton (Dun).
In the Over 60s, the form surfer of the day Mark Michetti (Gis) stormed into the final. He is joined by Paul Halford (Mnt) who had two buzzer beater performances to advance alongside Steven Glover who is competing at the event got the first time in over two decades. Glover a previous National Junior Champion (1982). The final is rounded out by local legend Steve Colbert.
Day two will see the junior surfers enter the water for the first time with the Under 14 Boys and Girls opening the day followed by several rounds of the longboard and the semifinals of the Over 30 Men’s Division. 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 2 – Senior Men and Women Divisions, Junior Boys and Girls, Longboard, SUP, Bodyboard
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
Mon 12th Jan – GBC learn to surf day
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