NZ surf team ready for world longboard championships
- Dave Worsley
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
New Zealand is sending a team of four surfers to compete at the 2025 World Longboard Surfing Championship (WLSC) in El Salvador later this month.
The team, who qualified via the Surfing New Zealand National Team policy, will represent New Zealand in both the Men’s with Jack Tyro (Christchurch) and Oliver Janes (Auckland) plus Gabi Paul (Piha) and Hannah Kohn (Gisborne) in the Women’s Longboard Division
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Kohn, who was in the team last year was thrilled to get the opportunity again.
“Yeah, I’m stoked as! It’s an honour to get to represent NZ on the world stage again, and I had a lot of fun last year, so I’m looking forward to it. I am much more aware of how tricky the wave is now, so hopefully that awareness pays off.
With such a tight turnaround, I haven’t had time to do any proper preparation, but I’ve had a couple of competitions recently, like the Single Fin Mingle, and the West End Wiggle is coming up, which are great for prepping. Three weeks doesn’t quite cut it for fitness, but I’m excited to give it my best!”
Paul is looking forward to surfing in El Salvador again
“I am definitely stoked to be in the team again. It will be great to return to El Salvador as it’s familiar territory now, and it feels good to have an idea of what to expect. It’s awesome to have Hannah on the team again too! For training,
I’ve been trying to surf as much as I can, though the conditions at the Mount have been a bit flat recently, so I’ve been substituting with other exercise. It’s great to have the Single Fin Mingle and West End Wiggle events as warm-ups before we head over. I can’t wait to head over, surf in warm water, and hopefully improve on our team result from last year!”
The men’s division will see first-time team member Janes representing New Zealand alongside 19-year-old Jack Tyro
“This is my first time making the NZ team, and I’m so stoked to be heading over in a few weeks! I’ve never been to El Salvador before," said Janes
"I’m really looking forward to surfing a new right-hand break. I’m in Noosa at the moment training on the points and in the gym, focusing on bigger, more powerful waves to prepare for the right-hander at El Sunzal. I can’t wait to compete!”
New Zealand has placed 17th in the last two ISA World Longboard events,
Surfing New Zealand Longboard Team for El Salvador, April 25 - May 1, 2025:
Men’s Longboard Division
Jack Tyro (Christchurch)
Oliver Janes (Auckland)
Women’s Longboard Division
Gabi Paul (Piha)
Hannah Kohn (Gisborne)