World-Class Longboarding at the Single Fin Mingle

Alongside matua John Tate - a key SFM festival elder, Ambrose led the competitors and strategic partners through a mihi whakatau - a traditional māori welcoming ceremony. A mihi whakatau formally welcomes guests (manuhiri), acknowledges the kaupapa (purpose) of the gathering, and establishes connections between the manuhiri (guests) and tangata whenua (hosts). It sets the tone for the hui (event) and ensures all participants are recognized and respected.

After John and Ambrose spoke, each group sang a traditional Māori waiata before each surfer was ceremoniously greeted with a hongi (nose touch). A group of Hawaiian competitors asked if they could share their E Ho Mai - their own welcoming chant, to start off the weekend as family. We then had kai (food) and the mingling began.

The mihi whakatau was a beautiful experience and immediately created a sense of togetherness for everyone attending.

The weekend then kicked off with a vibrant film festival, featuring a curated lineup of hand-picked films from around the globe. Travelling all the way from Sweden to experience the Mingle firsthand, filmmaker Jonathan Strömberg presented his touching documentary about a small surf shop in Taiwan, earning him the prestigious SFM Best Film award.

With a field of 88 invited male and female longboarders representing 11 countries, this year’s SFM competition was without a doubt one of the world’s premier longboard events. Established pros like Tosh Tudor, Karina Rozunko, and Lola Mignot went up against world tour competitors such as Natsumi Taoka and Kai Ellis-Flint. With every surfer personally invited, the calibre of talent in each heat was second to none.

After challenging conditions on day one, Sumner Beach delivered beautiful, clean, two-foot rights and lefts for finals day. The surfing was exceptional, each heat felt like it could have been a final. Ultimately, it was Mahina Akaka (Hawaii) and Kai Ellis-Flint (Australia) who rose to the occasion, earning the coveted SFM Champion’s Cape, ceremoniously awarded at The Street Party in front of over 1,500 screaming fans, easily one of the most epic awards ceremonies in surfing.

Apart from the surfing awards, Rhythm also handed out prizes for the best-dressed, awarded to Saxon Gallaher and Madi Farelly, as well as for the most stylish surfers, with shoutouts to Jake Bevan, Mahina Akaka. 

However, the Street Party wasn’t just a time for ceremony, it was a vibrant celebration. Minglers stumbled from the beach to the promenade and came together post-surf to boogie to the snazzy sounds of California’s China Beach, the ever-suave Donny Benét (a.k.a. The Don), local legends and fan favourites The Butlers, and standout acts like QueenTide, Doe Eyes, and more.

Kai Ellice-Flint captured the feeling of the festival this year, sharing, "This year’s Single Fin Mingle has been a standout moment of 2025 so far. The local community of Sumner beautifully hosted an eclectic mix of underground talent and established names. To be recognised amongst these surfers feels surreal. The SFM isn't just a surf contest but an incredibly well-coordinated cultural experience that's giving real space for creative voices in surfing. It truly feels so special to step into the spotlight at the SFM as it continues to grow as the cornerstone of surf events."

Team surfing took place on Sunday, and the camaraderie was high in the communal hot tubs and sauna after the finals. The day wrapped up with a 20-person party wave, epitomizing the true essence of the festival, as surfers from various backgrounds, levels, and countries came together to ride a wave into the beach, all as one.

Lulled into a dazed stupor by the live jazz band and laid-back surf commentary, over 800 beach onlookers strolled along the Sumner promenade over three days to take in the action. Onlookers kicked back in one of the vintage armchairs, sipped on coffees from the Coffee Supreme caravan, or something a little stronger from the custom-built White Claw Mingle Bar, browsed surf gear, and spotted sun-tanned, bleach-haired surfers cruising by.

With two charity partners at the festival, OceanFolx and Surf Ora, McNeill remains passionate about ensuring the festival continues to give back to the surf community, with a focus on empowering women and supporting important mental health initiatives. OceanFolx commented on the impact their community partnership will have following the event:

“We’re incredibly grateful to The Single Fin Mingle for their support in raising awareness and donations for OceanFolx this year. Brought together by a shared passion for empowering women in the ocean and improving water safety worldwide, this partnership means the world to us. Thanks to the donations gathered this year, we will be able to train two additional women, who have completed our program, to become OceanFolx swim instructors through our teacher training initiative. These women will go on to lead future OceanFolx programming, helping us build a sustainable, community-led model for lasting impact.”

The festival concluded with a closing ceremony and a heartfelt wish from Matua John, encouraging us, as we turn and head back to our own corners of the world, to carry the memories, lessons, shared moments, and all the goodness from the weekend home with us. 

He emphasized that now more than ever, in a time of intensive climate change on a global scale, gatherings of like-minded and kindred spirits hold a vitally important and sacred place within our surf communities. Above all, the Mingle is about forging meaningful connections, and this year was a powerful testament to the deep sense of community and human connection that surfing can inspire.

Official SFM results

Women’s 2025 SFM

1. Mahina Akaka (Hawaii) @mahina.akaka

2. Rosie Jaffurs (Hawaii) @rosiejaffurs

3. Natsumi Taoka (Japan) @natsumi_taoka

4. Mele Saili (United States) @mele__saili

Men’s 2025 SFM

1. Kai Ellis-Flint (Australia) @kaielliceflint

2. Luke O’Neill (New Zealand) @rugged_dolphin

3. Jake Bevan (Australia) @jake_bevan

4. Matt Cuddihy (Australia) @mattcuddihy