New Zealand's surfing scene is on fire! 🌊🏄
Mount Maunganui's Jaxon Willows and Taranaki's Izaro Williamson-Sasia have made history at the 2026 National Surfing Championships, leaving legends in their wake. These young talents, aged 17 and 14, shocked the surfing world by claiming the senior and junior longboarding titles, a feat only accomplished once before by Christchurch's Jack Tyro in 2022.
But here's where it gets even more impressive: Willows and Williamson-Sasia's journey was no walk in the park. They faced challenging 1.0m waves on Tuesday evening and still managed to secure their wins. Willows, in particular, surfed four heats in a single day, a true test of endurance, before facing off against longboarding veterans.
And this is the part most people miss—the competition was fierce! Australian Jordan Griffin kept up with Willows' pace, while ex-champions Dylan Barnfield and Daniel Procter, both from Gisborne, had to settle for third and fourth places. Williamson-Sasia, on the other hand, showcased her skills with a stunning right-hander, earning a score of 6.27 out of 10, leaving Ariana Walker in second place.
The dynamic duo's success didn't stop there. They collectively claimed four titles out of the 15 awarded that day, making it a day to remember in the surfing community. And the celebrations continued as stand-up paddleboard champions Karlos Aarsen and Stella Smith defended their titles, while Matt Scorringe secured his second senior men's title in the over-30 grade.
The championships also witnessed a range of victories across various age groups, from Lou Aitken's win in the over-30 women's division to Steve 'Teddy' Colbert's long-awaited national title in the over-60s, ending a 42-year drought for the local Gisborne surfer.
As the competition progresses, the excitement builds for the upcoming days, with the premier open women's and men's divisions taking center stage. With nearly 400 entries across 28 divisions, the event promises thrilling performances in shortboard, longboard, SUP, kneeboard, bodyboard, and adaptive disciplines, catering to a diverse range of ages and skill levels.
So, will the young guns continue to dominate, or will the veterans make a comeback? Stay tuned as the action unfolds on the waves! And don't forget to check out the special awards, including the prestigious Peter Byers Trophy, which will be presented to the week's standout surfer.
This event is just the beginning of an epic summer of surfing, with seven more national events to come. Are you ready to ride the waves of excitement? Share your thoughts on who you think will be the ultimate champion and why!
