Port Stephens SUP Challenge Returns for 2026

Held from 4–7 March 2026 and organised by the Newcastle SUP Club, the event once again combined multiple disciplines across several days of competition. Events were held around Port Stephens, with competition locations including One Mile Beach and Birubi Beach, depending on conditions.

The format blends both SUP surf competition and race disciplines, creating a festival-style event that allows competitors to take part in multiple formats throughout the weekend.

Surf competition formed a major part of the event, with competitors battling it out in beach-break conditions across a range of divisions including open and masters categories.

With strong participation across surf and race divisions, the Port Stephens SUP Challenge continues to play an important role in the Australian SUP calendar, bringing together both competitive athletes and grassroots paddlers for a multi-discipline weekend on the water.

See Results Below

SUP Surfing Results

Open Men Under 10ft

1. Connor Linz
2. Indy Rose
3. James elks
4. Dylan Henry

Combined Women’s Under 10ft

1. Lesa Prowse
2. Joanna Nelson
3. Hannah Finlay-Jones
4. Linda Gleave

Open Men 10ft+

1. Connor Linz
2. Dylan Henry
3. Indy Rose
4. Joel Spiteri

Combined Women’s 10ft+

1. Hannah Finlay-Jones
2. Lesa Prowse
3. Joanna Nelson

40-49yrs Men Under 10ft

1. Richard Feeney
2. Jarrod Sutter
3. Luke Fielding
4. James Elks

40-49yrs Men 10ft+

1. Richard Feeney
2. Jarrod Sutter
3. Ashley Duckworth
4. Luke Fielding

50-59yrs Men Under 10ft

1. Paul Saundercock
2. Anthony Eastham
3. Wayne Dean
4. Mark Martin

50-59yrs Men 10ft+

1. Paul Saundercock
2. Wayne Dean
3. Rohan Evans
4. Mark Martin

60-69yrs Men Under 10ft

1. Jonathan Gatt
2. Shane Lynch
3. Paul Haile
4. Craig Caldwell

60-69yrs Men 10ft+

1. Darrell Keirnan
2. Damien Quinlan
3. Jonathan Gatt
4. Craig Caldwell

SUP Foil

1. Dylan Henry
2. Hayden Williams
3. Indy Rose
4. Oliver Houghton

3km Race – Overall

Men

1. Shane Lynch
2. David Freeman
3. Rohan Evans

Women

1. Joanna Nelson
2. Nicki Day

9km Distance Race – Overall

Men

1. Olly Houghton
2. Jonathon Gatt
3. Juan Cruz

Women

1. Linda Sharpe

Age Division Highlights

Men 50–59 (9km)

1. Chris Cross
2. Andrew Martin

Men 60+ (9km)

1. Jonathon Gatt
2. Juan Cruz

Men 50–59 (3km)

1. David Freeman

Men 60+ (3km)

1. Shane Lynch

Women 50+ (3km)

1. Joanna Nelson
2. Nicki Day

Women 40–49 (9km)

1. Linda Sharpe

Technical Race Results

Overall

Men

1. Oliver Houghton
2. Indy Rose
3. Connor Linz

Women

1. Hannah Finlay-Jones

Age Division Highlights

Men 50–59

1. Chris Cross
2. Rohan Evans
3. Andrew Martin

Men 60+

1. Shane Lynch
2. Jon Gatt
3. Chris Wright

Open Division

Men Open

1. Oliver Houghton
2. Indy Rose
3. Connor Linz

Women Open

1. Hannah Finlay-Jones