For immediate release
7/05/2025
From: Surfing New Zealand
Sport: Surfing
Event: Benchmark Homes Canterbury Women’s Surf Champs
Dates: 3-4 May 2025
Location: Scarborough Beach/ Christchurch
Websites: Surfing New Zealand / Southern Wahine
Wāhine and Moana Unite for 2025 Benchmark Homes Canterbury Women’s Surf Champs
Ko au te Moana, ko te Moana ko au.
I am the ocean and the ocean is me.
We opened the 2025 Benchmark Homes Canterbury Women’s Surf Champs with this whakataukī, the event hosted by Southern Wāhine at Scarborough Beach on Saturday, 3 May. This whakataukī speaks to the deep, spiritual connection between the wāhine and the moana—a relationship at the heart of everything we do.
For the second year running, we were blessed with near perfect conditions. Clean, pumping waves and all-day offshore winds created an ideal canvas for the talented field of wāhine surfers to showcase their skills. Spectators lined the promenade, soaking in the sunshine, the smell of BBQs, the buzz of surf chatter, and the sound of boards carving the line-up. With fresh coffee, bagels, epic merch, and a whole lot of stoke, the vibe was electric.
As a Surfing NZ 1000-rated event, points were up for grabs in the Open Women’s, Open Women’s Longboard, and Grom divisions.
The Open Women’s final was a highlight of the day, with Estella Hungerford dropping a 9.5 and comboing the field to take the win in style. Annelise Coberger brought smooth rail work and elegance to clinch both the Open Women’s Longboard and Senior Women’s Longboard titles. Alethea Lock made a strong return to the competitive scene, comfortably winning the Senior Women’s division and earning runner-up in the Open.
Among the juniors, Amelie Clark surfed smart and powerful to take out the U18 final. Mereana Read was on fire, securing back-to-back wins in the U14 and U16 divisions—proof that the future of women’s surfing is in great hands.
It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout in our New to Comps divisions. The number of entries exceeded our expectations and highlighted the growing enthusiasm and talent among emerging female surfers. It’s exciting to witness the next generation stepping up and embracing the competitive scene with such energy and confidence!
The 2025 Benchmark Homes Canterbury Women’s Surf Champs was packed with good vibes, great waves, and heaps of aroha. A massive shout-out to Benchmark Homes for backing us again as principal sponsor—your support helps us ride this wave year after year.
Sunday the 4th was our Sunday Funday. The day kicked off with beachside yoga, followed by a community breakfast and coffee session, then an attempt at the biggest wāhine party wave. It was a beautiful way to close an unforgettable weekend.
Huge thanks to our awesome sponsors:
Benchmark Homes, Seventhwave, Frews Contracting, Move it Mama, Aotearoa Women’s Surf Association, Cheeky Kea travel, Stoked, Camelback, Charlie Brown Draws, Frame n Copy, Surfwise Aotearoa, SupaColour, North Beach Coffee Shed, Offcut, Almighty, Traiteur European Butchery, Anna Heasley Photography, South Island Surfing Association, and Surfing NZ.
To all the volunteers, judges, whānau, and fans—you are the backbone of this event. Your mahi behind the scenes and support on the beach is what keeps the stoke alive. And to our surfing wāhine—you are fierce, graceful, and inspiring. Thank you for showing up, bringing the mana, and filling the ocean with joy, strength, and style.
Ngā mihi nui – we can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!
Check out full results at https://liveheats.com/events/357140
Ends
