NASA's Maverick Macgugan and Locana Cullen with their little penguin (Phillip Island) trophies. Photo: NSA/Surfing Victoria
NASA (North Avalon Surfriders Association) members Maverick Macgugan and Locana Cullen have won their age divisions in the 2026 edition of the Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island in Victoria over the Spring break.
The standout surfer of Day 1, September 29, was Locana “Loci” Cullen (16) from Pittwater. He posted the highest single-wave score of the morning with a 10.00 and a 9.43, putting his competitors into a combination position. As the defending champion, Loci signalled he had every intention of going back-to-back. Surfing Victoria commented: ''and with surfing like that, he will be hard to beat.''
“We’re back down here at Phillip Island—won it last year,” Loci said
“Waves are cooking right now, perfect right-hand rip bowls as usual. Woolamai Beach is always a special place, and hopefully we can go back-to-back. It’s an awesome place, can’t wait.”
Loci's opening day efforts came off the back of his win in the ISA World Championships just shortly beforehand.
See September 2026 report: Australia Makes History With 10th Title at 2026 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Junior Surfing Championship
NASA's Maverick Macguagan also topped his Heat 1 round, scoring 16.67 and a clear 4 points ahead of anyone else in his age division.
Loci's brother Balin Cullen scored well in Day 2 (September 30) winning his Under 18's Round 1 heat in waves breaking in the 3ft range and an ‘all-day’ offshore breeze.
Surfing Victoria said:
''Competitors made the most of the conditions, with many showcasing a surfing ability well beyond their years, posting massive heat totals.''
Day 3 (Oct.1) of the Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island saw the competitors met with the biggest waves they had all week, with sets pushing 4 to 5 ft. With little to no wind in the morning, the event organisers made the most of the solid surf and ran through until 2 pm, before the storm approached and shifted the wind.
Maverick McGugan (Avalon, NSW) was a standout in the under-14 boys’ division, showcasing a surfing ability that rivalled his peers in older divisions.
“This is my first time on Phillip Island, and I love it; it’s such a cool place,” said Maverick MacGugan. “The waves are always good, and I’ve never had waves this good in a competition before.”
Friday October 2 was Finals Day of the Rip Curl Gromsearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire, crowning champions from all divisions.
Surfing Victoria states surfers were met once again with incredible surf, surpassing the expectations of competitors and event organisers. Surf continued to pulse in the 4–5ft range, which allowed organisers to run on the optimal tides, running the event from 11 am and finishing at 3 pm.
The Under 18 Boys was a close affair, with Lachlan Arghyros (Casuarina, NSW) narrowly beating Reef Cant (Mermaid Waters, QLD). Lachlan used his precise backhand to post a total of 14.00 points, close behind Reef, who earned 13.27, with his wave selection not allowing a higher scoring potential.
“Every comp’s hard no matter who you’re up against”. Lachlan said
Reflecting on his tactical strategy during the heat, he explained, “The ocean kind of just went a bit flat, so I ended up just trying to get two quick off the start and kind of set me up pretty well and put a bit of pressure on the other kid in my heat”.
To finish the day, the under 18 girls competed in the final heat. Olive Hardy (Margaret River, WA) saved her best performance for last, posting an excellent 8.00-point ride on her final wave. Although it was a close heat, Olive ran away with it, ousting Lani Cairncross (Kiama Downs, NSW).
In the under-14 boys, Maverick Macgugan (Avalon Beach, NSW) and Hayden Mee (Newcastle, NSW) kicked off the finals with a bang, with under a point separating the two. Hayden opened the account with 15.30, but it was Maverick who was able to wrestle back the lead and come out on top with a 16.10.
Victorian Lilly White (Jan Juc, VIC) clawed back victory in the dying seconds, earning a 7.5 to earn a total of 11.90 to oust Everly Morgan (Mollymook, NSW) in the under 14 girls final.
ISA world champion Locana ‘Loci’ Cullen (Avalon Beach, NSW) proved why he is a phenom, posting an excellent score every heat he surfed, and the final was no different, posting an 8.50 and a 9.00. Jaxon Pardoe (Whataupoko, NZ) wasn’t going out without a fight, however, posting a heat total of 13.33 to finish runner-up in the under-16 boys.
The Under 16 girls had fireworks with Talia Tebb (Kincumber, NSW) showcasing a level of surfing well beyond her years, posting a heat total of 18.70 to beat goofy footer Maddison Kenchington (Coolangatta, QLD).
Talia Tebb, representing the Central Coast in the Under 16 Girls division, detailed her heat performance and future goals. “We had super fun conditions down here at Woolamai; the wave’s been super good”. Looking ahead to the next event, she expressed, “The national final’s always such a fun event down at the Wave Pool and yeah, can’t wait to head to Melbourne”.
NASA's Maverick Macgugan - winner!
NASA's Locana Cullen - winner!
Winners
Final Results
Under 14 Boys
- Maverick Macgugan (Avalon Beach) – 16.10
- Hayden Mee (Merewether) – 15.30
- Lily White (Jan Juc) – 11.90
- Everly Morgan (Mollymook Beach) – 10.50
- Locana Cullen (Avalon Beach) – 17.50
- Jaxon Pardoe (Whataupoko, NZ) – 13.33
- Talia Tebb (Kincumber) – 18.70
- Maddison Kenchington (Coolangatta) – 13.17
- Lachlan Arghyros (Casuarina) – 14.00
- Reef Cant (Mermaid Waters) – 13.27
- Olive Hardy (Margaret River) – 15.50
- Lani Cairncross (Kiama Downs) – 13.33
The event was supported by Rip Curl, Bass Coast Shire, Victorian Government Significant Sporting Events Program, Surfing Australia, Surfing Victoria, Bass Coast Shire, Fatboy Bikes, Ritual Vision, Victorian Government, Live Heats, Phillip Island, P.I.B.C, Beyond Coconut Water, Surfing Australia, Skin Health Australia and Park Lane Holiday Parks.
Photos: Surfing Victoria/NASA