American surfer Alyssa Spencer and Australian Alister Reginato secured victories at the 2026 Bioglan Newcastle SURFEST, the concluding event of the World Surf League Challenger Series season. Spencer dominated the women’s final with a combined two-wave total of 11.74 to defeat Australia’s Ziggy Aloha Mackenzie, who posted a 3.63. In the men’s division, Reginato overpowered French surfer Kauli Vaast by locking in a 16.00 heat total against Vaast’s 9.57.
The 2026 SURFEST marks the 40th anniversary of the historic Newcastle event. With her decisive finals performance, Spencer became only the second American woman to win the competition in its four-decade history. She built her 11.74 combined score by securing individual wave scores of 6.67 and 5.07, leaving Mackenzie requiring a mathematical combination to take the lead.
Alyssa Spencer and Alister Reginato win Bioglan Newcastle SURFEST titles – Kouga News
Alyssa Spencer (USA) and Alister Reginato (AUS) won the Bioglan Newcastle SURFEST Presented by Bonsoy at …#Surfing #WSL #NewcastleSURFEST #ChallengerSeries #KougaNews https://t.co/lQV8L8PF1H
— Kouga News (@KougaNews) March 15, 2026
Following the final horn, Spencer credited her family and support system for the victory. She stated the result clears away her inconsistent season metrics and provides undeniable confidence heading into the opening event of the elite Championship Tour, joining veterans preparing for a 2026 WSL return.
Reginato’s win in the men’s bracket continues a dominant competitive streak for the Australian surfer. The 16.00 total against Vaast marks his second consecutive World Surf League event victory, immediately following his first-place finish at the QS Phillip Island Pro earlier in March. The results from Newcastle officially finalize the 2025/2026 Challenger Series rankings, locking in the qualification metrics for the upcoming top-tier circuit.