The 2025 AON New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships took place from March 6 to 9 at Midway Surf Life Saving Club in Gisborne. This premier event attracted approximately 1,200 athletes competing in surf swimming, beach sprints, ski and board paddling, surf boats, and canoes.
CRNZ Performance Pathway and High-Performance kayakers dominated the ski and double ski events, securing podium finishes across multiple age groups. Standout athletes such as Julia Padrutt, James Scott, Danielle Richards, Tiago Chamberlain, and Grant Clancy showcased their exceptional talent. Their ability to perform under pressure in surf conditions highlights their versatility and strength in both surf lifesaving and canoe sprint.
Strong Individual Ski Performances
- U15 Men: Leo Padrutt – Gold
- U15 Women: India Vaughan – Gold, Taylor Newman – Silver, Isla Frazer – Bronze
- U17 Men: Lewis Monk – Gold
- U17 Women: Jacqueline Kennedy – Gold, Stella Crossan – 6th
- U19 Men: Tiago Chamberlain – Gold, Kaiha Gilbertson – Silver, Liam Rogers – 4th
- U19 Women: Chloe Ah Kuoi – Gold, Mia Padrutt – 5th, Michaela Pocock – 6th
- Open Men: James Scott – Gold, Grant Clancy – Bronze, Kalani Gilbertson – 5th, Zach Ferkins – 7th, Max Brown – 8th
- Open Women: Danielle Richards – Gold, Julia Padrutt – Bronze
Double Ski Results
- Open Women: Aimee Fisher & Danielle Richards – Gold
- Open Men: Kalani Gilbertson & Grant Clancy – Gold
- U19 Women: Natasha MacGibbon & Sorell Shand – Gold, Mia Padrutt & Freya Stolte – Silver
- U19 Men: Tiago Chamberlain & Dylan Monk – Gold, Kaiha Gilbertson & Laine Creighton – Bronze
With such strong results across all divisions, these athletes continue to prove their talent and depth in both surf lifesaving and canoe sprint, reinforcing New Zealand’s reputation as a powerhouse in paddle sports and the benefits for athletes of crossover between the two sports.
Full results can be found at https://liveheats.com/events/347010
Thanks and congratulations to Surf Lifesaving NZ and all event organisers and crew for another incredible event for watersport athletes in Aotearoa.
