Surf Boat Spectacular draws near-record entries to Waihī Beach

One of New Zealand's largest surf boat weekends unfolded at Waihī Beach over the Waitangi Day long weekend, with Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Inc hosting three major competitions from 6–8 February. Near-record entries saw 310 competitors from clubs as far afield as New Brighton in Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Piha, Orewa and Sunset Beach all converging on the Western Bay of Plenty.

The weekend combined the Eastern Region Surf Boat Championships, the North Island Surf Boat Championships, and a Champion of Champions showdown. Event manager Natalie Lloyd said having all three competitions across a single long weekend made travel and leave more manageable for clubs, and created a festival-like atmosphere complete with a DJ and commentator on the beach throughout.

Local hāpū Te Whānau a Tauwhao representatives Reon Tuanau and Garston Smith from Otawhiwhi Marae provided a mihi whakatau that Lloyd described as equal parts moving, entertaining, inspiring and educational. The Eastern Region title was taken by Red Beach (Auckland), with New Brighton second and Tītahi Bay third. The 2026 North Island title also went to Red Beach, with hosts Waihī Beach finishing just one point behind the Under-23 Male division winners Tītahi Bay. The Champion of Champions was won by Paekākāriki, with the Piha Piranhas taking top honours in the female crew event.

Lloyd noted that surf boat rowing carries deep roots in surf lifesaving history, with large timber vessels once being among the earliest rescue craft launched through breaking surf to reach swimmers in distress. She said the spectacle of boats punching through waves, rounding offshore cans and racing back to the beach made for fast, physical and highly watchable competition.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).