Sydney, Australia – If Day 1 set the scene, Day 2 raised the stakes. Pumping surf across both venues produced some of the best surfing of the event so far, and by the end of the afternoon, a new group of VW State Classic 2026 Champions had been crowned.
SURF MASTERS | Gallows Beach
Gallows Beach delivered on Day 2. Four-to-six foot offshore surf gave the Over 55, Over 60 and Over 65 Men and the Over 50 and Over 60 Women the conditions they deserved for a State Title final. Clean, powerful and unforgiving. The surfers who handled it best took home the gold.
Michael Callender won the Over 55 Men’s division and his first-ever NSW State Title. It was a long time coming. When asked about the win, Callender put it simply: “You just have to keep turning up and one day it will go your way.” Robbie Page finished second, Ian Spencer third and Jay McKenzie fourth.
The Over 60 Men went down to Rod Baldwin and John Schmidenberg, two surfers who know each other’s games well. Baldwin got the better of it, taking first with Schmidenberg in second. Scotty Abbott finished third and Ged Cook fourth.
Baldwin wasn’t done. He backed up immediately in the Over 65 Men’s division and won that too. Two state titles in one day. Stephan Cox was second, Mark Gobbe third and Richard Sargeson fourth.
Reigning Australian Champion Belinda Koorey made the Over 50 Women’s final scoring a near perfect 9 point ride. Samantha Oakes finished second, Greta Francis third and Natasha Gee fourth.
The Over 60 Women’s division had Greta Francis as the sole representative. She secured her place in Team NSW and will carry the division’s flag forward.
The standard of surfing and the sportsmanship among the masters field drew praise from organisers throughout the day. More state titles and Team NSW positions are still to be decided as the championships continue in Coffs Harbour.
Masters Results
Over 55 Men
- Michael Callender
- Robby Page
- Ian Spencer
- Jay McKenzie
Over 60 Men
- Rod Baldwin
- John Schmidenberg
- Scotty Abbott
- Ged Cook
Over 65 Men
- Rod Baldwin
- Stephan Cox
- Mark Gobbe
- Richard Sargeson
Over 50 Women
- Belinda Koorey
- Samantha Oakes
- Greta Francis
- Natasha Gee
Over 60 Women
- Greta Francis
JUNIOR STATE TITLES | Macauleys Beach
Nobody predicted five-to-seven foot surf for Day 2 of the Junior State Titles. When competitors and officials arrived at Macauleys to find those conditions waiting, the heart rates went up. The contest directors and head judge made the call to run the Under 18 Boys straight into the Under 18 Girls, and it turned out to be the right one.
The surf sorted things out quickly. Ben Zanatta was the first to announce himself, putting on a backhand display that had everyone watching. Fresh off a strong result at the NN Ripper, Zanatta surfed like someone with something to prove. He is firmly in the conversation for the Australian Junior Surfing Titles in Margaret River later this year.
In the Under 18 Girls, Poppy O’Reilly was the standout. The conditions threw everything at the field and O’Reilly handled it with a composure that set her apart. She committed when others hesitated, executed when others struggled, and came away with scores that reflected exactly that. Remember the name.
The Under 14s got their moment in the afternoon. Contest director Mick and the head judge made a deliberate call to give the younger surfers the stage, and the division responded. Ned Corfe from North Narrabeen was the pick of the field, finding his way out the back and weaving through the lineup to scores that had every judge in agreement.
Two moments from the Under 14s that summed up the day: Reko Moltzen, showing more than a little of his father Mick’s approach, committed hard to a big section and earned his spot in the next round after a rough run of results. In the same heat, Beau Hall grabbed a 4.5 on a late wave and somehow found his way through as well. Different approaches, same outcome. That’s competitive surfing.
Today mattered. Every result carries weight in the Team NSW selection picture ahead of the Australian Junior Surfing Titles at Margaret River.
The VW State Classic 2026 is a Surfing NSW State Titles event (comprised of five surfing disciplines). Follow along for daily results across all divisions and venues.
Full event details, daily galleries, and updates via the VW State Classic 2026 microsite.
Follow along at @SurfingNSW on:
For media inquiries please contact: media@surfingnsw.com.au
Beyond the Waves
The competition takes the centre, but the six-day event sits inside a wider program of activations across the Coffs Coast.
- Coopers Surf, Australia’s largest in-stock surfboard range, has every competitor covered with a $20 voucher in their pack and 20 percent off accessories with any board purchase. The team will run a shaper demo day across the week and host a movie night at Aanuka Beach House.
- Surfline returns as the event’s forecast partner, delivering daily reports and a 30 percent member discount on Premium and Premium+. URBN Surf is putting unlimited surfing day passes up for grabs at competition sites.
- Surfing NSW’s own programs are on-site all week.
The central event hub will once again be Aanuka Beach House, with the post-beach schedule coming to life across its fire pits and outdoor spaces to relax, dine and connect. Competitors can redeem 20% off food and beverage at the Aanuka Beach House Restaurant by presenting their event wristband at the counter.
“We’re excited to welcome the VW State Classic back for another year. Events like this create a great atmosphere across the Coffs region when competitors and their families are in town. We love hosting everyone at Aanuka Beach House for the activations and encourage the community to come down and get amongst it throughout the week,”
Keron McDermott, General Manager, Aanuka Beach House
The Coffs Coast Welcome
The 2026 event renews its partnership with Coffs Council and Coffs Coast Events, with three competition sites activated across the region for five surfing disciplines. City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams welcomed the event’s return.
“As a destination of choice, Coffs Harbour is always up for massive events and it doesn’t get any better than the Surfing NSW State Classic, Mayor Nikki Williams said. It’s a spectacular showpiece that stokes surfing culture and best of all, it embraces the grassroots community aspect of the sport.
Local competitors and fans will be wrapped to see athletes ranging in age from groms to seasoned veterans tackle the waves in a City renowned for its beach culture and warm welcome.”
VW State Classic 2026
Six days. Five titles. Year two. 18.05.2026.
- What: VW State Classic 2026
- When: Monday 18 to Sunday 24 May 2026
- Where: Coffs Coast, NSW
- On the line: Five NSW State Titles (Junior, Masters, Longboard, SUP, High School) and progressions to the 2026 Australian Titles
- Host venue: Aanuka Beach House
- Major partner: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
- Supporting partners: Coffs Council, Coffs Events, Coopers Surf, Aanuka Beach House, Surfline, URBN Surf, Liveheats
- Surfing NSW programs on-site: LAB, Her Wave, Surfers Rescue