Nine Australian champions were crowned at the 2026 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles as pumping overhead waves arrived for finals day at Djarrak/Bells Beach on Wadawurrung Country.
Taj Simon breaks through
Port Kembla surfer Taj Simon claimed his first Open Men’s title after several previous near misses. An 8.67-point air reverse and a 5.37 backup gave him 14.04, ahead of Landen Smales on 13.10 and Malakai Carson on 13.00.
The win carried special weight at an event built around competition, culture, reconnection and community. Simon described the gathering as being about much more than results, with the annual return bringing people together like family.
Leihani Zoric completes another double
Leihani Kaloha Zoric defended both the Open Women’s and Junior Girls’ crowns. She scored 13.07 in the Open final, beating Malia Simon, Kauri Hueston-Connor and Matilda Thearle. Her 17.57 junior total created a commanding winning margin.
Malakai Carson posts the event’s top score
After finishing third in the Open Men’s final, Carson dominated the Junior Boys decider with a near-perfect 9.60 and a 9.00 backup. His 18.60 heat total was the highest of the entire event.
Division champions
- Open Men: Taj Simon
- Open Women and Junior Girls: Leihani Zoric
- Junior Boys: Malakai Carson
- Masters Men: Christian Pritchett
- Masters Women: Kirsty Shaw
- Men’s Longboard: Kaiden Smales
- Women’s Longboard: Melissa Combo
- Men’s Over 50: Brook Silvester
The three-day event’s importance lies in that combination of elite performance and cultural connection. Its thirteenth edition again made Djarrak/Bells Beach a national meeting place for Indigenous surfing.
Source: Surfing Victoria official report and results. Photo supplied through Surfing Victoria and credited accordingly.
Comments are closed.