The Australian Life Saving Team (ALT) Surf Boat Crews have successfully retained the Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Test Series title after a fierce contest on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
It was a sweet Valentine’s Day gift for the Aussies as they defeated traditional rivals the New Zealand Oar Blacks ten race wins to two at Wanda Beach, in Sydney’s south.
For the 2026 Trans-Tasman Series, the ALT Surf Boat Crews were represented by the Currumbin Barbarians (Open Males), the Collaroy Giants (Open Females), the South Curl Curl Burley (U23 Male), and the Palm Beach Pina Coladas (U23 Females).
The Australian Teams dominated the Open Male, U23 Male and U23 Female competitions, winning all three rounds against the Kiwis. However, the Open Female Oar Blacks were able to one up their Aussie counterparts and claim the Open Female category 2-1.
ALT Team Manager Greg Heard was ecstatic with his teams’ performances in the surf.
“I am extremely happy and proud for the Team,” he said.
“Racing was tough was tough and challenging, so it was great to see the crews all able to rise to the occasion and manage it. I was impressed by the competitiveness of the Oar Blacks, congratulations to their Open Women crew on their win today.”
ALT Team Captain Mac Hamilton was proud of the ALT Crews’ efforts.
“It’s a great feeling to have captained our crews to a win today,” he said. “There was some pressure on us to perform, so I am a little relived on the result.
“Well done to the U23s for delivering back the trophy, I thought both the boys and girls rowed very well.
“The ALT Open Women also rowed well today, however the Kiwis were too good. We’ll get them next year!”
Mac also lauded the ALT Crews’ bonding and preparedness going into the Series.
“We have been in team camp for the past couple of days, there’s been plenty of banter getting to know each other,” he said.
“My words to the team this morning were to enjoy yourselves, because I find when you are having fun you are rowing the best.”
Full race results for the 2026 Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Series are available on Liveheats here, and you can rewatch the races on the ASRL YouTube Channel here.
Palm Beach SLSC's Pina Coladas Win!
In related Surf Boat news, the New South Wales Interstate Team brought home an incredible victory on Friday February 13 at Wanda Beach at the SLSA Interstates. Congratulates to all eight crews who left nothing on the beach.
Once again local surf boat crews were selected to represent, with South Curl Curl's Runaways (U19 Females), South Curl Curl Dribblers (U23 Male) and the Freshwater Freaks (Reserve Women) part of the State Team. Results here
Team NSW has got it done on home sands again this season, they are 2026 Surf Boat Interstate Champions!
The Australian Surf Rowers League Open Championships 2026 runs February 12 to 15. More next Issue on the 2026 ASRL Open - results available so far are here.
Surf Life Saving Australia 2026 Interstates Results
🏆 Team Surf Life Saving NSW
🥈 Surf Life Saving WA Sunshine
🥉 Surf Life Saving Queensland Cyclones
🔵Life Saving Victoria Blue
🔴Surf Life Saving SA Reds
Overall Results Trans Tasman Surf Boat Test Series
Held as part of the 2026 ASRL Open at Wanda Beach, Sydney, Australia – February 14, 2026:
Open Men: AUS: 3 NZ: 0
Open Women: AUS: 1 NZ: 2
U23 Development Team Men: AUS: 3 NZ: 0
U23 Development Team Women: AUS: 3 NZ: 0
Australian Life Saving Team 2026 Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Crews
Open Female – Collaroy Giants
Jessica Layton
Rhiannon Lea
Alysha Lerond
Kelly Trim
Mark Anderson
Open Male – Currumbin Barbarians
Lyle Clark
Mac Hamilton
Sampson Hatfied
Jed Mackie
Jack Ryan
Trans Tasman Open Crews 2026
U23 Female – Palm Beach Pina Coladas
Charlotte Cadman
Charlotte Donnelley
Abigail Skinner
Grace Tassell
Matthew Giblin
U23 Male – South Curl Curl Burley
Angus Campbell
David Campbell
Alan Perry
Jack Rivett
Mark Spiteri
Trans Tasman U23 Crews 2026
Australian Life Saving Team 2026 Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Team Management
Greg Heard – Team Manager
Don Cotterill – Assistant Team Manager
Kim Findlay – Team Physio
Narelle Duggan – SLSA HP & Pathways Manager
Chiara O’Conner – SLSA Participation Pathways Coordinator
2026 NSW Interstate Local Teams
South Curl Curl's Runaways (U19 Females)
Abigail Wilson
Zoe Burke
Namoie Humel
Chanelle Humel
Nathan Wilson
South Curl Curl Dribblers (U23 Male)
Finnian Hume
Sam Merry
Levi Welsh
Cody Kearney
Rob Lowery
South Curl Curl's Surf Boat Crews excelling again this Season
Freshwater Freaks (Reserve Women)
Kelsey Crawford
Cheyenne Hayes
Elizabeth (Ela) Cornwell
Mia Glasson
Nathan Perry
Freshwater Freaks (Reserve Women)
Photos by Malcolm Trees
