Whakatāne Surf Life Saving Club is celebrating an impressive haul of medals and standout performances at last weekend’s 2026 Surf Life Saving Championships at Ōhope.

Although the host club did not feature in the final standings, with Omanu Surf Life Saving Club from Mount Maunganui topping the leaderboard, it did feature strongly at all levels of the competition over the four days.

The national championships brought a wave of athletes, supporters, and spectators to the Eastern Bay.

Around 1400 athletes, including youth, senior, and masters’ competitors from 46 clubs around the country, took part. Combined with supporters and spectators lining the beach, the crowd was estimated at between 3000 and 4000 people.

Competition began on Thursday and by the end of the first day, the leaderboard was tight, with Omanu SLSC leading on 82 points, Mairangi Bay SLSC close behind on 80 points, and East End SLSC sitting on 70 points.

The first medal of the championships went to Whakatāne’s Harper Thompson, who claimed gold in the Under-15 Boys 2km Beach Run. It was perfect way for the host club to begin the event.

Masters athletes made up most of the day-one programme, competing in age groups ranging from 30-34 years to 75-plus. Their participation reflects the Surf Life Saving motto, “in it for life”.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand board chair Kelvyn Eglinton said the masters’ competition highlighted the strength and continuity of the surf lifesaving community.

“There are people here who joined as nippers, came to their first nationals when they were 14 or 15 years old, and have attended every one since. Being able to continue in the sport means they keep coming back to wear the red and yellow, coach the kids, and help run our clubs,” he said.

At the end of the championships, Omanu claimed the overall title with 550 points, East End was second with 346 points and Mairangi Bay third with 328 points.

Whakatāne SLSC fielded a strong team this year, with 24 senior athletes alongside 40 masters’ competitors, many of whom also competed in the senior category. The club performed particularly well in the canoe races, including a gold medal in the Open Women’s Surf Canoe Short Course final.

Club president Phil Williams was delighted with the success of the event.

“The event was amazing for Whakatāne. The beach community, athletes and spectators exceeded expectations. The visiting clubs and their supporters loved Ōhope and, to top it off, we have a load of photos and hardware for the trophy cabinet,” said Williams.

Whakatāne’s masters’ athletes also performed strongly, finishing second on the masters’ medal table with 59 medals: 18 gold, 20 silver and 21 bronze.

Masters’ competitor Tautini Hahipene had waited 17 years for an open-class medal and, at his 13th national championships, finally achieved it with bronze in the Open Mixed Surf Canoe Relay.

“Winning that medal was a great feeling. I looked over at teammate Tony Lovett and he said, ‘I’m set,’” said Hahipene.

Hahipene previously said he would never compete at next year’s Christchurch championships because of the cold, but standing on the podium at Ōhope, he may have changed his mind.

Lovett, who had been chasing an open-class medal for 21 years, also shared the moment with teammate Hannah Craig, whom he had coached as an Oceans swimmer when she was younger. This time they competed side by side and medalled together, testament to the depth of talent the club has developed.

The rest of the bronze medal-winning Open Mixed Surf Canoe Relay team included Rebecca Hart, Kate Everitt, Alexandra Potter, Hannah Craig, Michael Esterhuizen and Campbell Gray.

Other standout performances included the Open Mixed Surf Canoe Relay team of Ella Julian, Francesca Kay, Ashleigh Jackson, Kaitlin Reid, Sam Thompson, Cameron Fletcher, Matt Pirini and Tiwai Wilson who claimed silver.

The Open Women’s Surf Canoe Short Course team of Ashleigh Jackson, Carla Reid, Kaitlin Reid and Ella Julian topped the field with a gold medal.

Oliver Christie also secured gold in the Under-19 Boys 2km Beach Run, while Dominic Rowland claimed gold in the Under-15 Boys Ski Race.

With the season nearing its end, the club will finish with its club championships on Ōhope Beach this weekend. Attention will then turn toward the 2027 Aon New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships in Christchurch.