A wave in China

‘‘Me and my other team mate were, like, ‘I hope there are waves’.’’

Andrews is representing New Zealand along with a team of 10 others in the surfing event. He heads to China next week for the competition, which runs from November 23 to December 2.

‘‘The surf race is the only one that I really like taking part in because there’s so many elements,’’ he said.

To make the team he had to qualify at nationals in New Zealand and he is no stranger to winning, taking away a title at the Melanesian Cup in 2015.

Although he has had a few setbacks, with an issue with his visa and a cartilage injury halting training, he has managed to practise using his skateboard.

‘‘I went for a skate, stopped and I went back to my car and got my paddle out and was going along with my paddle trying to get the surfing (movement) happening.’’

Andrews received a grant from TSB and has been fundraising by selling caps to take the pressure off the $5000 needed to get to the champs.

‘‘So far I think I’ve ticked up nearly four grand,’’ he said.

‘‘I didn’t think I’d get the response that I did,’’ he said about the cap sales. ‘‘Originally I had 10 and had to get another 30.’’

Having surfed since he was eight, and only taking up paddleboarding after a knee injury less than five years ago, he said this championship was a big deal for him. ‘‘This one is actually really special. The last time I was in an ISA event, like the worlds, I was 14 and now I’m 40,’’ he said.