Otago
have
made
a
major
impression
on
the
National
Scholastic
Championships
presented
by
Pub
Charity
as
they
threaten
the
front
runners
for
the
2026
title
at
Gisborne.
Despite
having
one
less
team
member,
the
team
from
the
south
has
seven
of
twelve
remaining
in
the
event
and
has
become
a
real
chance
for
a
strong
podium
finish
and
potentially
their
first
teams
title.
Led
by
the
Owen
siblings,
the
team
has
had
exceptional
results
from
the
entire
team
including
likes
of
Flint
Sherborne
France,
Jordy
Elder
and
Pipiata
Ritchie
who
all
go
into
the
final
day
with
hopes
of
individual
titles.
Elder
posted
a
14.67
point
heat
total
in
the
Under
14
Boys
Quarterfinals
late
in
the
day
with
Midway
Beach
continuing
to
offer
clean
1.0m
–
1.5m
waves
and
offshore
winds
all
day.
The
result
pushes
the
team
up
the
rankings
and
the
remaining
eleven
teams
will
be
looking
over
their
shoulders.
The
defending
champion
Bay
of
Plenty
Team
continue
to
look
strong
alongside
2025
runners
up
Auckland,
both
teams
finishing
the
day
with
seven
surfers
remaining
in
the
event.
Sol
Fritchley
led
the
way
for
the
Bay
with
a
15.27
point
heat
total
to
advance
to
the
semifinals
while
event
stand-out
Louis
Mcaquet
also
impressed
in
the
Under
14
Boys
Division.
Auckland
continued
their
quest
for
a
fifth
straight
podium
finish
and
with
title
contenders
across
all
eight
divisions,
their
aim
will
be
to
topple
Bay
of
Plenty
and
take
their
third
title
in
five
years.
Host
Team
Gisborne
has
remained
in
contention
for
a
podium
finish
with
five
surfers
remaining
in
the
event
and
their
local
knowledge
at
Makorori
Beach
for
the
final
day
of
the
event
could
see
them
make
the
podium
for
the
first
time
in
several
years.
This
would
back
up
the
NZ
School
Surfing
Festival
win
by
Gisborne
Boys
High
back
in
March
this
year.
Eleven
teams
go
into
the
final
day
with
surfers
alive
in
the
draw.
Unfortunately
Hawkes
Bay
missed
out
this
afternoon
when
their
final
surfer
Hugo
Dooney
finished
his
campaign
in
19th
overall.
The
event
will
return
to
Makorori
Beach
for
the
final
day
of
the
event
with
the
surf
expected
to
decrease
further
overnight
to
sit
in
the
1.0m
range
and
winds
will
remain
light
offshore
all
day.
The
final
day
of
the
event
on
Friday
will
be
streamed
live
via
Maori+.
Full
results
can
be
viewed
via
Live
Heats.
The
National
Scholastic
Surfing
Championships
brings
together
school-aged
surfers
representing
thirteen
regions
from
Northland
to
Southland.
Bay
of
Plenty
is
the
defending
champion
following
last
year’s
event
in
Taranaki.
They
have
traded
titles
with
Auckland
since
2022.
The
Scholastic
Championships
feature
Under
14
through
to
Under
18
divisions,
along
with
boys’
and
girls’
longboard
divisions.
First
held
in
1989,
the
National
Scholastic
Surfing
Championships
have
a
long
history
of
showcasing
New
Zealand’s
emerging
surfing
talent,
with
many
former
competitors
going
on
to
represent
New
Zealand
internationally.
Event
Information
The
National
Scholastic
Championships
is
sanctioned
by
School
Sport
New
Zealand
and
proudly
supported
by
the
New
Zealand
Sports
Collective
comprising
Whakaata
Maori,
Bayleys
Real
Estate,
Caltex,
Nateva,
Apollo
Projects,
Anchor
and
Pub
Charity.
Further
Information
For
further
information
on
the
2026
Scholastic
Championships
please
contact
Surfing
New
Zealand’s
Ben
Kennings
on
021
2278732
or
email
benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.
Imagery
High
resolution
action
images
of
the
surfing
will
be
available
to
media
free
of
charge
upon
request.
Social
Media
Keep
up
with
all
the
action
by
following
@surfingnz
on
Facebook,
Instagram
and
Twitter.
Surfing
New
Zealand
is
proudly
partnered
by:
Sport
NZ
ACC
Sun
Bum
Kiwi
Holiday
Insurance
Ends
Go to Surfing New Zealand
Author: Ben Kennings