Surfers hit Waitara waves
Some of New Zealand’s top surfers will take to the waters of Waitara this weekend in the hunt for the Aotearoa Ma¯ ori Titles.
Reigning champions Kehu Butler, of Mt Maunganui, and Waitara local Zhana Hutchieson will return to try to defend their crowns, with Butler making his first appearance in a New Zealand competition this year. The 17-year-old has been plying his trade on the World Surf League junior tour this season, as well as some of the lower events on the main qualifying series circuit.
Butler sits fifth in the Oceania standings in the junior tour and will be hoping his experience on some of the world’s best breaks helps him back in home waters.
Hutchieson is expected to lead a strong contingent on Te A¯ ti Awa surfers as they look to reclaim their Iwi of Origin title.
The event runs this weekend. Heats are expected to be run today before finals day tomorrow. The action could begin as early as 8am each day, subject to conditions.
Butler and Hutchieson will be defending two titles this weekend. Along with their wins in the respective open divisions, the pair claimed their respective under-18 titles, too.
On top of the premier open men’s and women’s competitions, the Ma¯ ori Titles include nine additional divisions with junior and senior age groups, as well as longboard and stand up paddleboard sections.
For the first time this year an amateur division has been included to encourage those surfers that have never competed before to give the event a go and join in on the fun.