From left, girls division winner Elin Tawharau and second placed Kea Smith, both of Mount Maunganui, with fellow finalists Zhana Hutchieson and Ariana Shewry. Photo / Surfing NZ.
From left, girls division winner Elin Tawharau and second placed Kea Smith, both of Mount Maunganui, with fellow finalists Zhana Hutchieson and Ariana Shewry. Photo / Surfing NZ.
Mount Maunganui surfers have made their mark at the 2013 National Primary School Champs at Fitzroy Beach, New Plymouth.
With a small 0.5m swell and light winds allowing everyone the chance to get out the back and local legend Paige Hareb on hand to judge and mingle with onlookers, itwas a big day for competitors.
New Plymouth surfer Tom Butland won the boys' division from Mount Maunganui's James Ririnui, who impressed at just 9-years-old with a 7.17 in the final.
Ririnui did enough to hold off Auckland surfers Taylor O'Leary and Connor Seaman who were not far behind, both contesting their first national level final.
In the girls' division the experience of the Mount's Elin Tawharu and Kea Smith proved too much.
Tawharu edged out Smith by just over a point, scoring 10.67 points out of a possible 20 in the final.
The two surfers, obviously inspired by the presence of Hareb, showed good power in their turns despite the small conditions and both would have been equally at home in the boys' division.
