Gisborne turned up the heat in a big way to open the 2026 National Surfing Championships presented by Trust Tairāwhiti yesterday with temperatures at Makorori unofficially reaching 37C.

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 half a metre, , 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.

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 championship 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 was 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 was a previous National Junior Champion (1982).

The final was rounded out by local legend Steve Colbert.

Day two would 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 were subject to change daily and throughout the day.

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.

Competition runs daily from 8am to 5pm, with the Open Men’s and Women’s finals expected to take place on Saturday, January 17.

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 GirlsDay 6 – Open Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls, Kneeboard

Day 7 – Open Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls, Adaptive

Social Calendar

Monday, January 12 - GBC learn to surf day

Tuesday, January 13 – Cold Water Movie Night, The Dome (7pm)

Wednesday, January 14 – Skate Expression Session

Thursday, January 15 Nias Surf Movie Night, The Dome / Neighbourhood Cantina Night

Friday, January 16, Coast Kids Surf Day / Ambrose Golf Team Tournament (3pm)

Saturday, January 17, 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.

-Content supplied by Surfing NZ