Crazy Month, Part 1: The 2026 Nats
As is the way with the old PhotoCPL web logs, if there hasn't been a log for a bit it's because the good stuff that could go in the log are happening. I'm going to split this up into 3 parts, this is part 1.
Maka’s incrediably consistent for the 7 days
The 2026 SNZ Nationals held at Creeks, Makorori Gisborne drew the largest participation in recorded history. Nearly 400 of the country's best surfers competed across 28 divisions and 180 heats.
The job site for 7 days of everything
I got to be the offical shooter again, and loved just about every minute of it. It was a brutal week for all the officials and volunteers involved. Back to back 12-14 hour days, to get through those 180 heats.
Tents got torn apart, heats were stopped for lightening strikes, conversesly the temp gauge topped out at 43 degrees. The Gizzy Gorge remains closed after significant slips that trapped over 40 people, including Nationals competitors. We had it all, 1 foot slop to pumping 3-4ft Maka's perfection.
Gruelling at times, fucking awesome as always. It's a cliche that is so true; the Nationals is far more than heats, winners and losers, it's about the people. Lifetime friendships bolstered, new mates made.
I really noticed was the rise across the board[dad joke] of performance. The juniors, both Girls and Boys divisions, the seniors... I mean for fuck sake Maz won the Over 40's, but he had competitors nipping at his heals. Jay Quinn was boosting airs in the Over 30's...and didn't win. Then you had a whole new crew of women surfers looking to go to the air. Added to that, the bulging Open mens draw-93 surfers, including a whole bunch of new names doing some serious damage to the bookies' rankings.
You can view the best of my action images on the Surfing New Zealand socials, especially the Facebook Albums HERE
But here are some of the images that I like the most from the Nats 2026. Oh and a caveat- A lot of these I didn't actually take. For a year now I've been giving a camera to competitors at events, I've been gently training my minions. THEY are killing it- Theo Morse, Jade Nias Phillips, Te Waiotu Fairlie and Ariana Walker you bloody legends.
Day 0, not even day 1, and three Gizzy legends off the bat, Maz Quinn, Chrissy Malone and James Fowell- best welcoming committee eva
…and looks like we are keeping in the legends vein aye… Gazza Quinn, former SNZ prez and father of some household names to boot.
ok, this legends theme will stop soon, but, can’t go past Dano Waiwiri and Clint Daly.
The bush rangers! Spanning the motu actually, Jesse Pragart from Piha, James Phillips from the Far North, Craig Higgins from Duno’s and Craig Sherriff… well, the Sheriff has lived everywhere! I think he’s current ex Nelson, now Mount???
Here’s one of my photog assistants Jade Nias Phillips with fellow northland grub Jack Haglund
aye ol’ boys! What it’s really all about - Leon Khan in the background with James Fowell and Matty Bennett
In a similar vein, Dyl Barnfield and Jordan Griffin
Yeah Zeke, the Piha grom was looking the business all week
Bloody good to see ya Budge! Former partner in crime and editor of NZ Surfing Magazine- Chris Berge
One of the most popular wins of the week, , former National Junior Champ Teddy Colbert in the O60’s
All of these young woman surf better than you, India Kennings, Lola and Chloe Groube, Leia Millar and Jade, you already know Jade
Raglan’s finest Van Camenzind and Ethan Kirk Ormond
ohhh maybe these two are Raglan’s finest- your National Open Champ Maya Mateja and Alani Morse
Mountie menaces… well if you had them in a heat actually… Your 2026 U16 Champ Vitor Bauermann and treveling companion Taimana Marupo
awwww proud couple moments! First up Matty and Casey Scorringe…. Matty won the O30’s
And these two! Taylor Hutchinson and Billie Scott
The Billy to beat… and no one did, Mr Stairmand readying for his 9th…yes 9th Open Title
Stonks! Former SNZ competitor, master glasser and around GC Mister Lee Coulston
Yeah bro, former Mountie and now Gizzy stalwart, Nick White
2025 Open Champ Alexis Owen backed up his Taranaki win with a Open final berth- proving it was no fluke, he also clinched the 2026 Junior Title
Yeah Point Boardriders! Two Open victories - bloody on yas
my last frame of the Nats, four fricken champs for sure, and quite a lot of silverware in the shared cupboard here. Jay Quinn, Matty Groube, Billy Stairmand and Chris Malone
