Five Bay of Plenty surfers will ride some of the world’s best waves against some of the planet’s best surfers this weekend in the 2026 World Club Championship at the Gold Coast, Australia.

Bay Boardriders Club woman surfer Hinako Kurokawa, junior Sol Fritchely, Tim O’Connor and Alex Dive of the open men’s division and senior Owen Barnes will represent New Zealand in the three-day competition from February 13-15, at Snapper Rocks.

The competition would be particularly memorable for Barnes, who’ll showcase his surfing prowess on the world stage thanks to a change in event rules.

“This year the rules allow for a senior surfer to compete along with open men surfers, a junior and woman surfer in each club team,” said Bay Boardriders president James Jacobs, who – with manager Bruce Todd – has travelled as a support crew.

Barnes’ moment

Jacobs said Barnes was part of the Bay Boardriders’ team that had won the NZ Club Championships and secured the club’s right to represent Aotearoa at the worlds each time.

“With the previous years’ world competition format having no senior category, he has amicably not surfed and taken up a coaching role,” Jacobs said.

Bay Boardrider Owen Barnes, pictured, finally gets to represent New Zealand in 2026’s World Club Championship at Snapper Rocks this weekend. Photo / Supplied

“So for him, this is really rewarding moment,” Jacobs told the Sun before flying to Australia on Wednesday. “Owen is a well-known and liked figure in NZ surfing, having several national titles to his name. The team is so stoked that he gets to compete in this year’s event.”

Barnes said he was super excited to head to Snapper Rocks. “[This is the] third time in a row for Bay Boardriders [to compete and represent New Zealand in this tournament]. We’re privileged to be in this position a,d we’re going to dig deep.”

The 2026 World Club Championship will see 40 of the world’s strongest boardriders clubs descend on the Gold Coast, aiming to catch waves and some of the $60,000 prize bounty, and with the world’s best boardrider club title up for grabs.

The golden ticket

“It’s unreal that our team have won the NZ Club Challenge three years in a row. Just to win once is amazing,” said Jacobs.

“The bonus is to get to represent NZ clubs at the worlds is just the golden ticket and an amazing opportunity for these surfers.

“They’re all at various stages of their lives … it’s good exposure for the young ones, and for the older ones it will fulfil lifelong dreams, particularly surfing at Snapper.”

The Bay of Plenty team would also rub shoulders with surfing clubs from around the globe and share the waves with some of the planet’s best surfers, such as former world champion Mick Fanning, who is surfing for Gold Coast club Kirra.

Mick Fanning at Margaret River, Western Australia. Photo: WSL / Cestari

“Clubs will represent Australia, New Zealand, USA, Hawaii, UK, France, Japan, Indonesia, and Portugal – it will be an epic experience,” Jacobs said.

“With this being our third time, we’re more settled and know what to expect; our surfers are really analytical and have the knowledge.”

Fritchely happy

This year, the team’s junior spot is held by 15-year-old Sol Fritchely, who Jacob described as a rising surfing star in New Zealand. “This will be a great platform and experience for him to showcase his talent on the world stage.”

Fritchley said he was simply happy to be able to surf Snapper Rocks. “To surf Snapper with four others [is special] because it’s not something you get to do normally. I’m also excited to see all the pros [surf] and to get some good results.”

Kurokawa said she was stoked to be part of the team representing NZ in Australia at this competition for a second year. “It’s one of the world’s best surfing spots. We hope to get a better result than last time. We’re super-hyped!”

Bay Boardriders cub surfers competing in the Gold Coast this weekend are surfers Owen Barnes, Hinako Kurokawa, Bay Boardriders president James Jacobs, surfer Sol Frichley, team manager Bruce Tod, and surfers Tim O’Connor and Alex Dive. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

With competitive surfing typically an individual sport, this event gave the Tauranga surfers an exciting team vibe on the world stage, said O’Connor. “I hope we get some good surf, and to be able to surf with some of the best in the world, like Mick Fanning, is super exciting!”

Dive said he “can’t wait to surf some of the world’s best waves with some of the world’s best surfers”.

Thank you sponsors!

Team manager Bruce Tod said he wanted to thank sponsors of the Bay Boardriders club, which had made the trip a reality.

“The trip wouldn’t be possible without funding, which has come from a bunch of local businesses here in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui: ILINE, Ray White Bayfair, NZ Windows, Astrolabe Bar, Mount Surf Shop and Salty Crew.

“It’s a significant investment. We wouldn’t be able to compete without their continued support.”

NZ got only one entry into the World Club Championship annually – and Bay Boardriders were “pretty honoured to be wearing the Silver Fern for a third time”, Tod said.

To watch the competition via livestream, visit: https://worldclubchampionship.com.au/live/