The 2026 Aon New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships opened in bright conditions at Ōhope yesterday.

Masters athletes lead the first day of competition and nearly 1400 athletes from 46 clubs converging on the four‑day national event.

Competitors across all age groups are taking part in a full programme of surf lifesaving disciplines, including canoes, surf boats, beach sprints, surf swimming and board paddling.

By the close of day one, Omanu Surf Life Saving Club held a narrow lead on the overall points table with 82 points, followed by Mairangi Bay on 80 and East End on 70, signalling a tight contest ahead.

The first medal of the 2026 championships was awarded in the under‑15 male 2km beach run, won by local Whakatāne Surf Life Saving Club athlete Harper Thompson, providing an early highlight for the host region.

Masters athletes, competing in divisions from 30-34 years through to 75+, filled most of the opening day’s schedule. The oldest competitor this year was 75+ entrant Carol Quirk – a Surf Life Saving New Zealand Life Member, former Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club president and current patron of Ōpōtiki SLSC.

Quirk has participated in more than 50 national championships and was the first woman to serve as president of a surf lifesaving club in New Zealand.

Quirk said she began surf lifesaving in 1968 at Paekākāriki at the age of 18 before moving to Lyall Bay, which at the time was a men-only club prior to its merger with Wellington Ladies in 1976.

She described Ōhope as the best beach to compete at, citing the visibility along the coastline, favourable conditions and the strong atmosphere around the event hub.

On day one she contested the surf race, board race, beach sprint and beach flags – a stark contrast to the limited five events women were historically permitted to enter.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand board chairman Kelvyn Eglinton said the Masters programme reflects the strength and longevity of the surf lifesaving community, noting many competitors first attended national championships as teenagers and have returned year after year as athletes, coaches and club volunteers.

He acknowledged Quirk’s role in establishing the first Masters competition at national level in the mid‑1990s, which has since become an integrated part of the sport.

The Aon New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships are taking place in Ōhope. Photo / Supplied

Racing continues at Ōhope Beach through to Sunday, with four of the six arenas scheduled to begin competition each morning from 8am.

The championships include junior, open and Masters events, covering individual disciplines such as beach sprints, flags, surf races, board and ski races, iron-person, and run‑swim‑run, alongside team events including beach relays, surf teams, double ski, taplin relays, rescue tube rescue, canoe races and surf boat races.