The Single Fin Mingle 2025

Words by Maddy Bolt for Surfer Magazine.

Like bees returning to the hive, every April surfers from around the world make their way to The Single Fin Mingle in Sumner, New Zealand — a small surf suburb just outside Christchurch on the South Island.

Now in its 11th year, Ambrose McNeill and his team delivered another exceptional weekend of festivities, world-class traditional longboarding, and just enough tomfoolery to keep things interesting.

While the festival hosts surfers competing at a globally recognised level, it remains proudly and distinctly New Zealand, anchored by Māori culture woven throughout the welcoming and closing ceremonies.

Alongside matua John Tate — a key SFM elder — Ambrose led competitors and partners through a mihi whakatau, a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony. A mihi whakatau formally welcomes guests (manuhiri), acknowledges the kaupapa (purpose), and establishes the relationship between manuhiri and tangata whenua (hosts). It sets the tone for the hui and ensures everyone is respected and connected.

After John and Ambrose spoke, each group sang a waiata before surfers were ceremonially greeted with a hongi. A group of Hawaiian competitors then asked to offer their own E Ho Mai chant, opening the weekend as one family. Kai was shared, the conversations began, and the Mingle was officially underway.

The weekend kicked off with a vibrant film festival featuring hand-picked works from around the world. Travelling all the way from Sweden, filmmaker Jonathan Strömberg presented his touching documentary about a small surf shop in Taiwan — earning him the SFM Best Film award.

With 88 invited male and female surfers from 11 countries, this year’s competition was without doubt one of the world’s premier longboard gatherings. Established pros like Tosh Tudor, Karina Rozunko, and Lola Mignot went head-to-head with world tour competitors including Natsumi Taoka and Kai Ellis-Flint. Every surfer was personally invited, and the calibre of each heat reflected it.

After a challenging opening day, Sumner Beach turned on clean, two-foot rights and lefts for finals day. The level of surfing was exceptional — every heat felt like a final. In the end, Mahina Akaka (Hawaii) and Kai Ellis-Flint (Australia) rose to the top, earning the coveted SFM Champion’s Cape. They were honoured at The Street Party in front of more than 1,500 screaming fans — easily one of the most electric awards ceremonies in surfing.

Rhythm also handed out awards for best-dressed — Saxon Gallaher and Madi Farelly — along with most stylish surfers, celebrated by shoutouts to Jake Bevan and Mahina Akaka.

But the Street Party wasn’t just about awards — it was a full-blown celebration. From the beach to the promenade, Minglers came together to dance to California’s China Beach, the ever-suave Donny Benét, local legends The Butlers, and standout acts like QueenTide and Doe Eyes.

Kai Ellis-Flint summed up the feeling of the festival:

“This year’s Single Fin Mingle has been a standout moment of 2025 so far. The community of Sumner beautifully hosted a mix of underground talent and established names. To be recognised among these surfers feels surreal. The SFM isn’t just a surf contest — it’s an incredibly well-coordinated cultural experience giving real space to creative voices in surfing. It truly feels special to step into the spotlight as the Mingle grows into a cornerstone of surf events.”

Team surfing wrapped up the Sunday programme, with camaraderie running high in the communal hot tubs and sauna after finals. The day ended with a 20-person party wave — a perfect snapshot of the festival’s spirit, bringing surfers of different backgrounds, levels, and nations together on a single wave.

More than 800 spectators wandered the Sumner promenade over the three days, lulled by live jazz and laid-back commentary. They lounged in vintage armchairs, sipped coffees from the Coffee Supreme caravan or drinks from the custom-built White Claw Mingle Bar, browsed surf gear, and watched sun-kissed surfers cruise past.

With two charity partners — OceanFolx and Surf Ora — Ambrose remains committed to ensuring the Mingle continues giving back, especially through initiatives empowering women and supporting mental health. OceanFolx reflected on the impact of this year’s partnership:

“We’re incredibly grateful to The Single Fin Mingle for raising awareness and donations for OceanFolx this year. This partnership means the world to us. Thanks to the donations gathered, we’ll be able to train two additional women from our program to become swim instructors. They’ll go on to lead future OceanFolx programming, helping us build a sustainable, community-led model for lasting impact.”

The festival closed with a heartfelt ceremony and a message from Matua John — a reminder that as we return to our own corners of the world, we carry with us the memories, lessons, and shared moments. He spoke of the increasing importance of gatherings like these in a time of global climate pressure, and of the sacred role they play within surf communities.

Above all, the Mingle is about forging meaningful connections — and this year was a powerful testament to the depth of community, creativity, and human connection that surfing can inspire.

Official SFM Results — 2025

Women

  1. Mahina Akaka (Hawaii)

  2. Rosie Jaffurs (Hawaii)

  3. Natsumi Taoka (Japan)

  4. Mele Saili (USA)

Men

  1. Kai Ellis-Flint (Australia)

  2. Luke O’Neill (New Zealand)

  3. Jake Bevan (Australia)

  4. Matt Cuddihy (Australia)