Gisborne's Nick White produced the highest score on the opening day of the national surfing championships at Makorori Beach on Sunday en route to the semi-finals of the Over-30 men's division. Photo / PhotoCPL
Gisborne's Nick White produced the highest score on the opening day of the national surfing championships at Makorori Beach on Sunday en route to the semi-finals of the Over-30 men's division. Photo / PhotoCPL
The heat was turned up on and off the water with locals among the standouts as the 2026 National Surfing Championships started at Makorori Beach on Sunday.
A high of 33.3C was recorded at Gisborne Airport during the day but the temperature at Makorori unofficially reached 37C.
That searing heatwas matched by some scintillating performances in the water, particularly in the senior men’s age group divisions of the Trust Tairāwhiti/Gisborne Boardriders Club-presented contest featuring 400 competitors over 28 divisions.
Despite the waves not getting over half a metre, the Makorori sandbars made for perfect little waves and consistent offshore winds meant a full day of action unfolded in front of the crowded dunes.
Gisborne’s Nick White lit up the day as one of several outstanding local performers. White scored a brilliant 18.40 (9.17, 9.23) to easily win his opening heat and advance to the semi-finals of the Over-30 men’s division.
Fellow Gisborne surfer and 2003 open men’s champion Blair Stewart also impressed in winning his O30 heat with 15.40 (7.40/8.0) as did Mount Maunganui’s Matt Scorringe with 16.46 (8.93/7.53).
Gisborne brothers Maz and Jay Quinn delivered polished performances in progressing to the final of the O40 men’s division.
Classic Jay Quinn as the Gisborne surfer powered his way into the Over-40 men's final at the national championships on his home waves on Sunday. Older brother Maz is also in the four-man final. Photo / PhotoCPL
Former world junior champion and three-time National Open title winner Jay posted 17.20 (8.73/8.47) to win his heat and 14.67 (7.7/7.67) to top his semifinal.
Maz, the first Kiwi surfer to win a World Qualifying Series contest and a four-time National Open victor, also advanced to the final, winning his heat with 10.57 (3.0/7.57) and semi with 16.47 (8.67/7.8).
Maz played down his display.
“[It’s] too easy to compete when it is at your home break,” he said. “The bank is all right. It was a little slow out there, but there were flurries of waves and just enough for everyone in their heats.”
It was a “cracker” of a Sunday, he said.
“It usually goes howling sea breeze, so we are lucky to have little waves. It is what it is - definitely rideable.”
Finalists were also sorted in the O50 and O60 men’s divisions and they included several locals ... James Fowell in the O50s and Steve “Teddy” Colbert, Steve Glover and Mark Michetti in the O60s.
Colbert won the U18 crown 42 years ago in Gisborne and good mate Glover won it in 1982.
Junior age group surfers were scheduled for Monday action, along with the longboarders and the semi-finals of the O30 men, although conditions saw the start of competition postponed to 3pm.
“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,” Surfing NZ said in a release.
