Surfers and coaches outside the Adams Centre for High Performance. Photo / Cory NZ Surfing Magazine
Thirty of New Zealand's top surfers including Western Bay's Elin Tawharu, Alex Dive, Matt Hewitt, Raiha Ensor, Lee Ririnui and Georgia Wederell converged on the University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance at Mount Maunganui last weekend to take part in the first of three training camps.
The elite
group of athletes was led by top internationally ranked surfers Ricardo Christie (Gis), Ella Williams (WGM) and Billy Stairmand (Rag). The attending surfers have an eye on future success both on the World Surf League Qualifying Series and the International Surfing Association events ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The surfers were guided under the instruction of three coaches, each specialising in their fields of technique and strategy, strength and conditioning and sports psychology.
"It was a great weekend. To get all of us together, and prior to when teams travel and outside of actual events, helps build relationships and friendships and I think as a whole we were all super excited," Williams said.
"With everything that was put in place like the team of coaches and the facilities we trained in, I am sure we will all be able to grow as athletes and that is motivating."
