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Jack Tyro was working his regular shift at a surf shop in Dunedin on Saturday when an email arrived confirming he had achieved a dream he had been chasing since he was 12.
The surfer, originally from Sumner, had earned a wildcard spot on the 2026 World Surf League Longboard Tour.
“I’m probably still coming to terms with it,” he said.
“I just made a lot of calls to people, it was really awesome to share that with them even if it was just on the phone.”
He is currently completing a diploma in construction at Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin and works part time at the Hydro Surf Shop.
As one dream becomes reality, another begins for the 19-year-old – the pursuit of a world title.
When friends and family asked if he would celebrate the achievement, his response was simple.
“I’m probably going to go to sleep and have a surf early tomorrow morning.
“It’s more the start of the journey than the end of it. Now I’m trying to do everything I can to prepare for it and hopefully have a good celebration after the whole tour.”
The tour consists of three events: the Huntington Beach Longboard Classic, the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic and the La Union Longboard Classic.
The top 12 male surfers across those events will then contest the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships, where the 2026 world champion will be crowned.
Tyro acknowledges he will be a rookie on tour but sees no reason not to aim for the ultimate prize.
“I’ve already had multiple competitions at Bells (Beach) where I’m competing against the best and coming close to (their level).
“The goal is always to win it, so why not aim for the highest prize possible,” he said.
The opening event at Huntington Beach, California, takes place from July 25-29.
Unlike the longboard tour, the World Surf League’s shortboard tour features 12 events, reflecting the discipline’s greater popularity and earning potential.
It is Tyro’s fourth attempt at reaching the tour.
Last year he narrowly missed qualification, finishing third in the rankings – one place short of earning a spot.
He looked set for more disappointment this year after placing second on the Oceania Qualifying Series, where only one direct tour berth was available.
Tyro finished fifth at the Noosa Festival of Surfing in March before claiming his first World Surf League title at the Taranaki Longboard Classic earlier this month.
Queensland surfer Nicholas Brewer secured the automatic qualification spot after winning at Noosa and finishing second in Taranaki.
Tyro knew before the Taranaki final he could no longer qualify directly for the tour, but that did not diminish his desire to win.
“I’m stoked I just kept going regardless – it definitely sat better with the selection committee,” he said.
Tyro estimates competing in the three-event tour will cost between $10,000 and $15,000 in flights and accommodation.
He has already covered the cost of travelling to California but is seeking sponsorship to help fund the remainder of the campaign.
While he has product sponsors, no company directly finances his competition schedule.
“Hopefully some businesses can get behind me.”