Champions Crowned At 2026 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles Presented By Rip Curl 

Champions were crowned across nine divisions this weekend at Djarrak/Bells Beach on Wadawurrung Country at the 2026 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles presented by Rip Curl.  

Now in its thirteenth year, the event once again proved why it is one of the most significant gatherings on the national surfing calendar, bringing together elite Indigenous surfers, emerging talent, and communities from across the country for three days of competition and connection on the iconic Surf Coast. 

Taj Simon (Port Kembla, NSW) claimed his first Open Men’s championship after multiple near misses in previous years. Simon looked sharp throughout the event and carried that momentum into the final, landing a lofty air reverse for an excellent 8.67-point ride before backing it up with a long Bells runner featuring multiple carves for a 5.37-point score.  

“Oh man, it feels so good to finally get the win,” said Simon. “I’ve been doing these events for quite a few years now, so to come out on top is a pretty special feeling. 

The vibes here are always unreal. Everyone feels like family, and it’s so good to reconnect with people each year. The level of surfing is always high, but it’s about so much more than that. It’s about the connections, the culture and getting everyone together. That’s what makes this event so special.” 

Leihani Kaloha Zoric (Broken Head, NSW) secured back-to-back Open Women’s and Junior Girls’ titles, successfully defending the crowns she claimed in 2025. Zoric won the Open Women’s final by 2.04 points and the Junior Girls’ final by an impressive 6.30 points.  

Before the competitors took to the water this weekend, the event was kicked off with the first ever Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles Art Exhibition at Ocean Grind in Torquay. Competitors and their families were invited to submit original artworks, creating a showcase that celebrated creativity and storytelling. The exhibition provided a meaningful opportunity to connect before competition began and set the tone for the weekend ahead. 

Rip Curl has proudly supported the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles since 2019. This commitment extends beyond the annual event, with Rip Curl’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) receiving formal endorsement from Reconciliation Australia in 2025. 

The Innovate RAP represents a deepening of Rip Curl’s commitment towards reconciliation and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.  

Read more about our Innovate RAP here.  

2026 Champions:

Open Men’s 

1. Taj Simon – 14.04 pts 
2. Landen Smales – 13.10 pts 
3. Malakai Carson – 13.00 pts 
4. Rohnin Henry Micale – 8.16 pts  

Open Women’s 

1. Leihani Zoric – 13.07 pts 
2. Malia Simon – 11.03 pts 
3. Kauri Hueston-Connor – 8.50 pts 
4. Matilda Thearle – 5.17 pts 

Masters Men 

1. Christian Pritchett – 13.83 pts 
2. Rhys Collins – 11.77 pts 
3. Matt Mooney – 10.93 pts 
4. Robbie Page – 9.70 pts 

Masters Women 

1. Kirsty Shaw – 16.66 pts 
2. Angela King – 9.83 pts 
3. Melissa Combo – 7.60 pts 
4. Ingrid Cumming – N/A  

Men’s Longboard 

1. Kaiden Smales – 15.70 pts 
2. Rhys Collins – 15.16 pts 
3. Rohnin Henry Micale – 9.77 pts 
4. Joe Murray – 8.97 pts 

Women’s Longboard 

1. Melissa Combo – 11.57 pts 
2. Angela King – 11.23 pts 
3. Delilah Chisholm – 7.43 pts 
4. Jessi Muir – 4.83 pts 

Men’s Over 50 

1. Brook Silvester – 12.70 pts 
2. Scotty Winch – 12.23 pts 
3. Robbie Page – 10.17 pts 
4. Steffan Krasna – 7.27 pts 

Junior Boys 

1. Malakai Carson – 18.60 pts 
2. Joe Rocco Sommerville – 13.43 pts 
3. Seth Baillie – 12.04 pts 
4. Charlie Chisholm – 8.67 pts 

Junior Girls 

1. Leihani Zoric – 17.57 pts 
2. Kauri Hueston-Connor – 11.27 pts 
3. Malia Simon – 9.94 pts 
4. Delilah Chisholm – 5.94 pts 

Full results can be found via www.australianindigenoussurfingtitles.com