With the Australian leg of the Shaw and Partners World Ocean series fast approaching, we asked five of the sharpest voices in surf sport to name their picks across every discipline. As always, they don't agree on much. Here's who they've got winning the Iron, Board, Ski and Swim titles this summer plus everything you need to know about the season ahead.
Five experts, five very different ways of reading the form guide and about the only thing they agree on is that this season is going to be one of the most open in years. From the Board and Iron titles up for grabs, to the Swim and Ski crowns waiting to be defended, the 2026/27 Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series has no shortage of storylines heading into the Australian leg.
Meet your five experts
- Stew Duff
- Keenan Competes
- Josh Minogue
- Harriet Brown
- Kurt Hanson
It all kicks off at Burleigh on 2–3 October, with the Bar One the Beach Community Swim and Clubbie Surfing Mal Comp running alongside it from Friday 2nd through Sunday 4th so whether you're there for the racing or just the atmosphere, there's no better place to start the season. From there it's fourteen rounds and five months of racing around the country, wrapping up at Northcliffe on 19–20 February.
Who gets it right? We'll find out together. See you on the sand.
“Let’s see whose predictions live up to the hype.”
Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series
Ironman
Stew Duff is backing Joe Collins: "New coach, can strike lightning at times. Has the ability to go back-to-back and set himself for a tilt at the title."
Keenan Competes goes with Charlie Verco: "Left us all with lots of questions I think it's high time he starts giving some answers." Keenan adds: "A true student of the game, an adapter and a learner. As far as his skills go, calling him a waterman would probably be an understatement he reads the water like Keenan Competes reads books (and he reads a lot of books). I hope this season he can make a real impact on the series."
Josh Minogue tips Ethan to go back-to-back, pushed all the way by Bevilacqua: "The shadow of Ali Day is finally gone, and we'll see who wants to step into the spotlight as the number one Ironman in the sport."
Harriet Brown picks Ethan O'Callaghan: "He doesn't have a weak leg. He can string an iron together incredibly well, and now knows how to win big races."
Kurt Hanson is on Conner Maggs: "Missed the Australian Iron final last season let that sting. It was a wake-up call for one of the most naturally gifted athletes to realise that's not enough. What separates the good from the greats in this sport is consistency you can't be winning one week and out the back door the next. A consistent Conner is one who will be a thorn in the side of the Burleigh boys."
Ironwoman
Stew Duff: "All in on Emily Doyle. She creates the blueprint. Pressure will mount on the competition after her international campaign, and she'll find the results needed on her home beach to secure the crown."
Keenan Competes backs Carla Papac: "She utilises her racing experience as learning opportunities — no two races are ever the same. A seemingly obvious choice. I've quite enjoyed watching Carla race over the past couple of seasons. She's unafraid to learn from her errors, and is often heralded as one of the most skilful competitors in the field."
Josh Minogue: "It's hard to argue with Lana's dominant form from last year, but Tiarnee Massie finished the season on such a high I think she keeps it rolling this summer though it won't be easy, and there are five more who wouldn't surprise me if they took the title."
Harriet Brown goes with Lana Rogers: "Extremely talented and trains consistently hard."
Kurt Hanson names Kaitlin Rees: "Missed the Iron series last season — I'd rather call this too early than too late. Katy ticks all the boxes; at only 18 she has a huge ceiling. She's a born racer, whatever the discipline, whatever the conditions, whatever the order she loves testing herself against the best. Once the switch is flipped from gaining confidence and experience to wanting to compete and win, there's no going back. I get the feeling it's only a matter of time."
Board
Men's
Stew Duff: "Bevy. Who knows how many years the veteran has left he'll prove why he's been renowned as the best board paddler of the last decade."
Keenan Competes backs Nathan Mackenzie: "It's difficult having your breakout race be the final board race of the series time to back it up. If his board race is as snappy as his comments on social media, he should win every race by 200 metres. After coming out of near-retirement just a couple of seasons ago, it's been nice to see a return to form for the self-proclaimed number one clubbie mal surfer."
Josh Minogue declines to split it: "The event with the most paddlers who could potentially win I'm just guessing, there's 15 who can take this title. Give me the same podium as last year, but in a different order, because I have no idea."
Harriet Brown: "Charlie Verco — he's proved he is the endurance board specialist. Another year older and more experienced, I think he'll be up the top."
Kurt Hanson is also on Charlie Verco: "The official face of surf sports in Australia after an off-season for the ages — rescuing a civilian from a shark attack, claiming his 4th consecutive Molokai Prone Paddleboard title and breaking the course record of Matt Bevilacqua. He's transcended the clubbie bubble into the mainstream, and the entire sport should both literally and figuratively be jumping on his side wash for the ride."
Women's
Stew Duff: "I owe her. I gave her the title 'Steve Harvey' like. I need her to right my wrongs."
Keenan Competes: "Tiarnee Massie — possibly the most in-form athlete in the competition, no cap. It would be a fool's errand to pick anyone other than Tiarnee to win a World Ocean Series board race. There's not even that much to say — she's found the method: fierce start, electric finish. It also helps that she's one of the hardest workers in surf sports."
Josh Minogue: "The big four become the big six this summer — add Lily O and Chelsea Wood to that group. Who wins it? I have no idea."
Harriet Brown backs Lizzie Welborn: "She wants it badly, plus she's been up there in most board races for the past decade."
Kurt Hanson goes with Hannah Scully: "Sometimes there's just no substitute for experience. In rugby league, I know like night follows day that as long as the Cleary's are involved the Panthers are always a chance at another premiership I know the same when it comes to women's board racing. If Hannah's on the start line, nine times out of ten she's going to be right there on that leader's wave and the finish tape."
Ski
Men's
Stew Duff: "Jake Morris. Runs too fast, paddles too well."
Keenan Competes: "Nathaniel Drummond — this guy is one interstate result away from taking over the series. He's been around the ski paddling scene for a while, but is probably better known for board paddling, taking out the SA Open Male Board title last season. He keeps coming closer to a breakthrough season across the border — I think this is the year we see something incredible."
Josh Minogue plays it conditional: "It depends how often the boys from the Aussie kayaking K2/K4 squad can find a gap in their program heading toward LA 2028. If they turn up — Green, Fitz, Collins. Even Harry Taurins as a dark horse. If they don't, it's anyone's."
Harriet Brown backs Mitch Trim: "Always close — this year might be his year. His fans want to see it happen."
Kurt Hanson names Jayden Erskine: "It was a pleasure watching him grow up at Currumbin. There's no secret to his success — Jayden just perfected the formula: do the work, execute and minimise mistakes. Sounds simple, but it still amazes me how many top athletes struggle to combine all three. He does it better than almost anyone in the sport."
Women's
Stew Duff: "Julia Padrutt showed her class on Grand Final weekend at the Shannon. A full season under the maroon star could be scary."
Keenan Competes backs Claudia Kelly: "One of the most consistent athletes but remains underrated. Claudia might be allergic to finishing outside the top ten, but still flies under the radar. After a breakout season and a truckload of kayak work over the off-season, the World Ocean Series women's ski title is totally within reach."
Josh Minogue: "If World Champions and medallists Ella Beere and Nat Drobot show up, the Avoca pair will be untouchable. Outside those two, give me Carla Papac and the Newport ladies to battle for the title — that's one to watch."
Harriet Brown also likes Claudia Kelly: "Such a powerful ski paddler, and now with more experience she'll be stepping up even further this season."
Kurt Hanson goes with Emily Doyle: "Be honest — have we ever seen the absolute best of Emily? Give me one full, uninterrupted, healthy season and all bets are off. We'll be talking about a lot more than just ski races."
Swim
Men's
Stew Duff's pick: Jackson McCleery. "Another year of wisdom from Nathan Smith will show. He will win more than he loses. Cooper Williams is also going to be at the pointy end of the iron point score, so won't contest as many swims."
Keenan Competes backs Tom Lewis: "Literally everyone is rooting for him to win — it's time he backs himself. He spent half the off-season training with Burleigh Heads while completing his Cert II in Electro Technology, but no doubt more time went into studying his competitors' race tactics. It's rare to see a swim final without Tom Lewis in it."
Josh Minogue: "Henry Simpson leads from post to post and collects the biggest crown of his short career. Riley Brennan continues to get more consistent and goes close in second."
Harriet Brown backs CJ Brennan: "He's constantly swimming well in the pool and the ocean."
Kurt Hanson goes with Jackson McCleery: "Think of the ridiculous swimming talent that's come out of Maroubra over the years Jon Donohoe, Barry Rodgers, Max Metzker, Malcolm Allen. McCleery may have left 'the Bra' for Wanda, but that pedigree and skill set remain. The kid has gills."
Women's
Stew Duff: "All depends on the queen, Lani Pallister. Four races is all she needs — can she give us three weekends? Otherwise it has to be Lily O'Sullivan."
Keenan Competes backs Katie Natt: "Potentially the best South Australian export in a long time. After making the jump to Queensland a couple of seasons ago, Katie's now enjoying the fruits of her labour, with results starting to show after a couple of Ironwoman finals last season."
Josh Minogue: "Gemma Smith Welsh as a roughie here a little belief is all that stands between her and major success. Lily O is always dangerous. And as always, if Lani Pallister is on the start line shut the book, bets are off."
Harriet Brown backs Lily O'Sullivan: "Such a strong and consistent surf racer."
Kurt Hanson goes with Kaitlin Rees: "Georgia Miller was the blueprint for becoming the greatest Ironwoman of all time, off the foundation of being the best surf swimmer. Katy has the same attributes — nail down the surf race and it will always complement any Ironwoman aspirations."
Well, there is a lot to take in, and we can’t wait to see who stands up and makes a difference this season.
There are going to be plenty of big moments, surprises and emotions throughout the summer, and we can’t wait to watch it all unfold.
Fortunately, we don’t have to wait long. The Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series is back on Aussie shores this weekend, and it’s time to get the 2026/27 season underway.
Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th October 2026
Grab your beach towel Burleigh 5,000 is back, and it's not just for the athletes. For three days, one of the Gold Coast's most beautiful beaches turns into a full-blown festival: elite surf sport racing, live music, a beachside bar, food trucks, and good coffee, all with your toes in the sand.
Not a surf sports fan? Come anyway. Whether you're here to watch Australia's best Ironmen and Ironwomen battle it out, or just want a relaxed day out by the water, there's something for everyone. Bring the family, grab a bite from the food trucks, settle in at the beach bar with a cold drink or coffee, and soak up the atmosphere.
Come on down and see what the Shaw and Partners World Ocean series is all about.