Local points light up for finale
The Far North pointbreaks at Ahipara lit up for the third and final event in the Northland scholastic series competition last Thursday.
Spokeswoman Tia Lord noted the event began in the morning under blue skies and clean 2’ peelers, with the under-14 and under-16 girls’ divisions hitting the waves first in Te Kohanga (Shipwreck Bay). After the tide had dropped enough, the competition venue moved further around the rocks to Muke One, where there was a bit of crossshore wind but the swell was holding with good, consistent waves and the odd solid 3-footer bowling through.
The competitors made the most of the fun conditions through to the low tide and by the afternoon there was a clear increase in the swell. With some impressive sets starting to pour through, the region’s top surfers took full advantage of the conditions with Lord noting the U18 boys’final was a real highlight, the very last heat to be surfed and getting the best waves of the day.
The field of 44 entrants from across the region represented a great turnout for organisers. Lord noted the Northland Surfing Association (NSA) ran three competitions around Tai Tokerau each year in order to choose the team to represent Northland at the national scholastics surfing championships, which this year are being held at Wha¯ingaroa (Raglan), the world renowned left-hand pointbreak.
“So of course NSA were excited to be given the go-ahead to run the deciding competition at Northland’s very own pumping left-hand pointbreak.”
On behalf of the NSA, she thanked Te Rarawa, Takiwa¯ and Ahipara Boardriders’ Club for the local support.
“Nga¯ mihi nui ki a koutou . . . There were a lot of very stoked and surfed out kids heading home on Thursday night who also really appreciated the opportunity to compete at such a magic spot.”
The Northland team will be named shortly.
RESULTS were as follows. U18s, boys: Max Brunker (WBHS) 1, Billy Gilbert (WBHS) 2, Cory Vercoe (Rodney College) 3, Aiden Hayes (WBHS) 4; girls: Laura Lamouric (Kaitaia College) 1, Brydie Harrison (Kaitaia College) 2.
U16s, boys: Jacob Buckle (Huanui College) 1, Ari D’anvers (WBHS) 2, Thomas Charlesworth (Pompallier College) 3, Ben Moretti (correspondence) 4; girls Malindi Reihana-Ruka (Springbank) 1, Sky Gundry (Kerikeri High) 2, Pipi Johnson-Philips (Kerikeri High) 3, Arlia Gray (WGHS) 4.
U14s, boys: Tai Erceg-Gray (WBHS) 1, Campbell Mosely (Kamo High) 2, Karn Godfrey (Kaitaia College) 3, Izaak Hayes (WBHS) 4; girls: Charlotte Taylor (Kamo High) 1, Saorise O’Brien (WGHS) 2, Jordy Tana (WGHS) 3, Laurel Suetter (WGHS) 4.
AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL
Two of New Zealand’s top AFL woman players impressed while playing for Tasmania during the annual Anzac competition held in Melbourne recently.
Kaitaia’s Killarney ‘Killa’ Morey and Jamie Wyatt from Auckland were complimented for their standout performances both “on and off the field” in the annual game by Australian officials.
The pair were later advised they had been chosen to play for the AFLW under-18 national championship squad, which will compete in Sydney over Queen’s Birthday weekend.
The invitation represents another feather in the cap of each player. Morey has represented New Zealand at netball with both Maori and secondary school sides, while Wyatt was named NZ AFL’s Player of the Year. Both are studying at Otago University.
"There were a lot of very stoked and surfed out kids heading home on Thursday night who also really appreciated the opportunity to compete at such a magic spot."
NSA spokeswoman Tia Lord