Perfect conditions for nationals
The renowned surf breaks of Taranaki have turned it on for the competitors taking part in the national championships this week.
The Health 2000 National Surfing Championships took to the waves at Stent Rd, south of Okato, yesterday for the fourth day of competition in near perfect conditions with two metre swells and offshore winds.
Crowds lined the shore to watch the action with some spectators perched on top of their vehicles to get a good view.
Mahia’s Ricardo Christie, who is the current national champion and has won his place back on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour for 2019, showed his class scoring an 8.8 and 9.7 to take out his heat in round two of the men’s open class and move into the quarterfinals.
He then went on to win his quarterfinal, with a top-scoring heat total of 17.1 out of 20, and move into the semifinals, which are likely to be surfed today.
Surfing New Zealand spokesman Ben Kennings said the organisers were spoilt for choice and the conditions couldn’t get much better.
‘‘You are always trying to find the best break for the competitors, the opportunities they have are amazing,’’ Kennings said.
‘‘We have had three good days of competition and this is day number four and it’s probably going to be the best day of swell and surfing because we have the open men’s and women’s events out there.
‘‘I think having the girls out in solid surf has been awesome for them.’’
Kennings said Christie had only been confirmed to start in the event on the morning of the first day but it was great he was getting to defend his title.
‘‘For him to come back and for all of the kids to see him compete here, it’s just massive. We are really lucky to have him here.’’
New Plymouth surfer Jarred Hancox, who was competing in the over 30, over 35 and men’s open events, said he was stoked to have the event in his backyard.
‘‘I’m just so happy about it, we have just had an amazing forecast for the week,’’ the 38-year-old said.
‘‘We couldn’t have asked for a better week of waves. It’s great that somewhere like here can host it.’’
Hancox congratulated the Oakura Boardriders Club for hosting the event, the first time the nationals had been held in the region for 12 years, and he hoped it would return again soon.
‘‘There’s heaps of kids and a lot of seniors taking part and we’re stoked it’s here.’’
After finishing second in his open men’s round two heat, Hancox went on to win his quarterfinal and move into the semifinals, alongside fellow Taranaki surfers Tom Butland and Sean Kettle who also advanced through their quarterfinal heats.
Ariana Shewry said it was great to have the nationals in Taranaki.
‘‘It’s just so awesome,’’ Shewry said.
Unfortunately the young Oakura surfer failed to advance through her open women’s quarterfinal heat.
Fellow Taranaki surfer Natasha Gouldsbury also missed out on advancing through her open women’s quarterfinal, but was still alive in the under 16 and under 18 girls divisions.
However, Waitara Hutchieson won her advanced through women’s semifinals.
The finals of the championships will be held tomorrow and Saturday. surfer Zhana heat and has to the open