Darcy Price NZ Ocean Surfski Series 2025–26 passes midpoint as champions and award winners drive title race
As at the end of February 2026, the Darcy Price NZ Ocean Surfski Series has completed five of eight events, with three races remaining before the 2025–26 champions are crowned.
The national ocean racing series, running from 4 October 2025 through to 9 May 2026, continues to showcase premier men’s, women’s, and double’s ocean ski disciplines. With only each paddler’s best three results counting toward final standings, the championship remains finely balanced heading into the final stretch.
A powerful start to the summer
The season opened with the approximately 14km Windy City Downwind in Wellington on 4 October, which also doubled as the 2025 NZ Ocean Ski National Championships. Known for reliable wind and accessible downwind conditions, Wellington delivered a strong championship event, with double series points on offer.
A week later, on 11 October, the series travelled north to the Tawhiti Rahi Coastal Challenge in Tutukaka. The approximately 30km course provided genuine ocean adventure along the spectacular Northland coastline and quickly began shaping the early leaderboard.
The third race of the summer, the 2025 Deep South Downwind on 6 December in Queenstown, has cemented its reputation as one of the must do events on the calendar. Racing over 18km on Lake Whakatipu beneath snow covered peaks and glacial backdrops, it arguably offers the most dramatic setting of any event in the series. Southern Lakes Multisport Club once again delivered a seamless event, combining fast downwind conditions with renowned southern hospitality.
January’s Paddler Virtual Championships broadened participation nationwide, allowing paddlers to submit GPS verified 12km efforts from anywhere in the world throughout the month.
Most recently, on 7 February, the James Moore-morial “Bhutty Moore” Race in Tauranga tested paddlers over 32km along the Bay of Plenty coastline between Mount Maunganui and Maketu, further refining the championship standings.
Championship leaders with national credentials
The current leaderboard reflects the calibre of paddlers contesting the series.
Gene Prato, who finished tied on points for first in the 2024/25 series before placing second overall, now leads the men’s Open standings on 1,000 points after five appearances. His consistent victories across multiple events have set the benchmark for 2025/26.
In the women’s competition, defending 2024–25 series champion Rebecca Cole leads on 980 points in the Open division. Her continued dominance nationally, combined with strong international performances in 2025, reinforces her status as the paddler to beat this season.
Across divisions, current leaders include:
- Lachie Harkness (M) – Junior U18
- Sam Jones (M) and Marley Thompson (W) – U23
- Marchand Le Roux (M) and Alex Martin (W) – Masters 40–49
- Garth Spencer (M) and Claudia Tarr (W) – Vet 50–59
- Mark Torrington – Men’s Classic 60+
- Paul Gillard – Men’s Seadogs 70+
In the doubles competition, Paul M and Bailee S lead on 650 points after two strong performances.
Three races to decide the season
The championship now moves into its final phase:
Queen and King of the Bay – Tasman – 14–15 March 2026
A 30km downwind course from Marahau Beach to Port Māpua, following the coastline past Motueka, Kina Peninsula and Ruby Bay.
Heads to Harbour – Whakatāne – 4 April 2026
A 21km coastal challenge along the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Auckland King & Queen of the Harbour – Takapuna – 9 May 2026
An 18–24km race based at the Takapuna Boating Club. As the final race of the 2025/26 series, it carries additional series points and often proves decisive.
With only the best three results counting, late season performances can still reshape the overall standings.
As the Darcy Price NZ Ocean Surfski Series approaches its conclusion, the presence of defending champions and nationally recognised athletes underscores the strength, depth and competitiveness of ocean paddling across Aotearoa New Zealand.
