National Titles Decided As Aon New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships Conclude

ŌhopeBeach has provided an incredible four days in the ocean and on the sand at the 2026 Aon New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships. The country's best surf lifesaving competitors have made their clubs proud shown New Zealand's strength in this sport.

This year's championship winning club is Omanu SLSC with an impressive 550 points. East End SLSC took the silver with 346 points; and Mairangi Bay SLSC has bronze with their 328 points Full club leaderboard is on LiveHeats.

With nearly 1,400 competitors competing in 25 different events split into multiple categories (masters, open, U19, U17, U15), Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) and partners Aon handed out more than 130 gold medals to newly minted national champions.

SLSNZ's National Event Manager Luke Smith says; "Huge congratulations to all our medallists – what an achievement. From clubs who have brought one competitor to race to clubs with 40+ athletes, our community has shown such a high-level of skill and commitment. We've seen some stars on the rise, alongside senior and masters athletes inspiring the next generation."

Final day highlights

Surf boats raced throughout the day on Sunday, and Sunset Beach LS won was triumphant in the open mixed relay. Omanu won gold in both the open male short and long course, while Piha SLSC claimed the open women's short and long courses.

In the board rescue, national club champions Omanu's U17 female crew had an incredible day - achieving a trifecta with first second and third place.

Omanu also won the open men's taplin relay; while the Midway SLSC team took gold in the mixed with a fierce battle to a close finish line against runners-up Mount Maunganui LS.

And the East End SLSC women's open team celebrated wins for board rescue, board relay as well as the taplin relay.

Over the course of the four-day event, two athletes stood out across multiple disciplines. Black Fins Pipi Te Pania (Omanu) and Joe Collins (Fitzroy) established themselves as the ones to watch in each race.

Te Pania stood out as one of New Zealand's strongest surf lifesavers with multiple wins across both U19 and open races. She took gold in the open surf race, open iron, U19 iron, U19 surf race, U19board race, U19 run swim run – six impressive wins in total.

Joe Collins showed proved today how much of a threat he can be, winning gold in the open iron and open run-swim-run, third in the open ski race, and second in open surf race.

Host club Whakatane SLSC had strong team this year, with 24 senior athletes alongside 40 masters, and their teams performed particularly well in the canoe races – grabbing gold in the open women's final. They were thrilled with the performance of their young, up-and-coming athletes, and they're looking forward to building on this momentum at the 2027 Aon New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships in Christchurch.

THANK YOU

SLSNZ General Manager Sport, Zac Franich, says; "We are so proud of the incredible community who have made this event special. These championships would not be possible without our partner Aon, who have elevated this experience for all participants. They've provided an event hub that has kept us all humming throughout, and - most importantly – they've supported our team of Aon officials.

"Our Aon officials, led by event referee Scott Bicknell, do an incredible job alongside event first aiders and the event water safety team by dedicating critical knowledge, skills and experience to this event for the benefit of whole surf lifesaving community.

"ŌhopeBeach has been a spectacular venue. Thank you to our host club Whakatane SLSC, the event work party, and Whakatane District Council for their collaboration."

"Finally, SLSNZ would like to acknowledge every participant, supporter and spectator for all the energy, positivity and competitive spirit we've seen the past four days. The 2026 Aon New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships has proved lifesaving sport has a bright future, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone in Christchurch in 2027.

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