National Surfing Championships 2026: Gisborne Shines
Updated: 1 day ago
National Surfing Championships 2026
When: 11 to 17 January 2026
Where: Gisborne Beaches
Official Website: www.surfingnz.co.nz/national-championships
Seven days of summer heat, competitive surfing and classic Gisborne beach culture reminded New Zealand why this city is such a natural home for the sport.
For seven days in January 2026, Gisborne became the centre of New Zealand surfing.
The National Surfing Championships returned to Gisborne from 11 to 17 January 2026, attracting nearly 400 competition entries across 28 divisions, including some of the country's finest surfers.
And Gisborne certainly turned on the summer.
Temperatures at Makorori Beach unofficially reached a blistering 37°C on opening day, while the championships attracted the largest Open Division field in more than 20 years.
But beyond the competition, the event celebrated something Gisborne has always been rather good at: living life around the ocean.
A City That Lives and Breathes Surfing
In Gisborne, the ocean often decides how the day unfolds.
For plenty of locals, the morning begins with a glance at the swell and wind. Surfboards are strapped to roofs, wetsuits dry over fences, and conversations over coffee regularly turn to what the waves are doing.
It's a lifestyle that has developed over generations.
Gisborne has produced some of New Zealand's best-known surfers, including national champion Maz Quinn and Olympian Saffi Vette.
But there's little fuss about surfing credentials around here.
The beach does most of the talking.
Great Surf Beaches, Minutes Apart
One of Gisborne's greatest strengths as a surfing destination is the choice of beaches within such a small area.
Makorori Beach hosted the championships, with its long sandy coastline and quality surf making it a favourite with local surfers.
Wainui Beach, just minutes from town, is famous for its powerful waves and exposed coastline, attracting experienced surfers whenever conditions line up.
Midway Beach offers accessible beach breaks close to the city, while nearby Waikanae Beach provides a relaxed setting for swimming, beach walks and enjoying the summer atmosphere.
The beauty of Gisborne is that you can check the waves at Makorori, stop at Wainui, grab a coffee in town and still have most of the morning ahead of you.
January: Gisborne Summer at Its Best
January brings long sunny days, warm afternoons and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the coastline.
The opening day of the championships was particularly memorable, with Gisborne Airport recording 33.3°C and unofficial temperatures at Makorori reaching 37°C.
It was the sort of day when spectators were seriously considering joining the competitors in the water.
Of course, warm weather doesn't guarantee perfect waves.
Conditions varied throughout the week, with changing winds and smaller swells testing competitors before more challenging surf arrived for the finals.
That's surfing. And in Gisborne, adapting to the conditions is all part of the experience.
Local Champions and National Success
Gisborne surfers gave the home crowd plenty to celebrate.
Local surfing legend Maz Quinn claimed the Over 40 Men's title, finishing ahead of younger brother Jay Quinn, while fellow Gisborne surfer Sam Johnson took third.
Steve 'Teddy' Colbert won the Over 60 Men's division, an impressive 42 years after his previous national title in 1984.
Gary Stevenson added another local victory in the Over 70 Men's division.
Not a bad showing for a city that clearly knows how to keep its surfers in the water for a few decades.
In the premier divisions, Raglan's Billy Stairmand claimed his ninth Open Men's national title, while 17-year-old Maya Mateja secured her second Open Women's championship in a tightly contested final.
More Than Just a Surf Competition
The week wasn't only about results.
Learn-to-surf activities, surf films, skate events and social gatherings helped create a genuine summer festival atmosphere.
For visiting competitors and their families, Gisborne offered something particularly appealing: beaches, cafés, restaurants and accommodation all within easy reach.
The championships also showcased the strength of the local surfing community, with Gisborne Boardriders Club, volunteers and sponsors helping bring the event together.
With strong entries, local champions and memorable finals, the 2026 championships were a fitting celebration of New Zealand surfing.
Surfing Is Simply Part of Gisborne
The championships may have finished in January, but Gisborne's surfing lifestyle carried on as usual.
Boards still appeared on car roofs before breakfast. Surfers continued checking the sandbanks at Wainui and Makorori.
And the familiar question was still being asked around town.
How's the surf looking?
You don't have to be a champion surfer to appreciate Gisborne.
You don't even need to own a board.
Just find a spot overlooking the ocean, watch a few sets roll through and enjoy the relaxed rhythm of a city that lives close to the sea.
The 2026 National Surfing Championships didn't create Gisborne's surf culture. They simply reminded the rest of New Zealand how good it is.
And around here, that's something we've known for years.
The World Surf League returns to Gisborne
In March 2027, the World Surf League returns to Gisborne for the first time since 2011, bringing more than 200 surfers from across the Asia-Pacific to compete on the waves that have quietly been doing their thing here all along.
