The Collaroy Giants were selected as the Australian Life Saving Team’s Open Women crew for the 2026 Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Test Series, which Australia won at Wanda Beach in Sydney.
Australia Retains Trans-Tasman Title
The Australian Life Saving Team secured the 2026 Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Test Series after racing New Zealand’s Oar Blacks at Wanda Beach on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Australia recorded ten race wins to two across the contest.
For the 2026 Series, the national line-up comprised the Currumbin Barbarians in Open Men, the Collaroy Giants in Open Women, South Curl Curl Burley in U23 Men, and the Palm Beach Pina Coladas in U23 Women.
Collaroy Giants Open Women Crew
The Collaroy Giants Open Women crew selected for the Australian team included Jessica Layton, Rhiannon Lea, Alysha Lerond, Kelly Trim and sweep Mark Anderson.
New Zealand secured the Open Women division 2–1. Australia won the Open Men, U23 Men and U23 Women divisions, each finishing 3–0.
Despite the result in the Open Women category, Australia retained the overall Trans-Tasman title for 2026.
Interstate Competition At Wanda Beach
The Surf Life Saving Australia Interstates were also staged at Wanda Beach on Friday, 13 February 2026.
Team Surf Life Saving NSW won the Interstate championship. Surf Life Saving WA placed second, followed by Surf Life Saving Queensland. Life Saving Victoria and Surf Life Saving SA were also listed in the overall results.
South Curl Curl crews in the U19 Women and U23 Men divisions, along with a Reserve Women crew from Freshwater, were included in the NSW team line-up.
Event Context
Both the Trans-Tasman Series and the Interstates were conducted during the Australian Surf Rowers League Open Championships, held from 12 to 15 February 2026 at Wanda Beach.
The results confirm Australia’s retention of the Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Test Series title, with the Collaroy Giants forming part of the national Open Women crew in the 2026 campaign.
Published 17-Feb-2026
