Surfing round set for heavy weather

Arataki surfer Kea Smith took out the honours at Mount Maunganui two weeks ago. PHOTO/FILE

The first of two major weather systems bear down on New Zealand this weekend inconveniently on cue with the second event of the Billabong Grom Series presented by Oceanbridge being held at Whangamata on Saturday and Sunday.

More than 120 young Kiwi surfers are hoping the swell and conditions are better than forecast this weekend for the second of three events in the series.

After a perfect start at Mount Maunganui two weeks ago, the series has built momentum heading into this weekend but the usual idyllic conditions of Whangamata will be replaced by a large 1.5m-2.0m swell and onshore winds accompanied with rain.

Mount Maunganui's strength will again lie in their female competitors with Kea Smith (Under 18) and Anna Brock (Under 14) looking to make it two-from-two in the series in their respective divisions.

But there are several other Mount surfers in contention.

Jacob Warnes lies third (Under 18 Boys), Reef Newdick third (Under 14 Boys), Maaia Reid-Bennett third (Under 20 Girls), Tiana-Breeze de Mooj second (Under 18 Girls), Georgia Wederell second (Under 16 Girls) in their divisions.

Northland surfers Manu Scott-Arrieta and Billie Scott swept the Under 20 Divisions at the first event and both will return for more this weekend.

Scott-Arrieta is not adverse to big waves and will seize the chance to take on the solid swell as will his opponents in the Under 20 Boys Division, the oldest of age brackets which stretch down to Under 14s.

Point Boardriders will hope to retain their number one spot through the likes of Jayden Willoughby who won the Under 14s and Brie Bennett, Kora Cooper and Navryn Malone who all secured runner up placings at the first event.

Action will take place from 8am — 4pm daily with two huge days of surfing required to finish the event. With the pending swell, organisers will keep a close eye on conditions and have options to set up at the usual location at Access 8 or head south of the Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club. If the surf continues to rise, Access 14 on the Estuary Beach will also be an option.
New Zealand Grom Series ratings leaders after two events.
■Under 20 Boys Division
1, Manu Scott-Arrieta (Sandy Bay), 2, Sam Sands (Chch), 3, Jacob Warnes (Mount), 4, Eli Voschezang (Auck), 5, Cody Lucas (Auck), 5, Thomas Harcourt (Chch)
■Under 18 Boys Division
1, Conor McLennan (Chch), 2, Caleb Cutmore (Ham), 3, Jay Piper- Healion (Whiti), 4, Jared Gebert (Ohope), 5, Shane Kraus (Piha)
■Under 16 Boys Division
1, Finn Vette (Gis), 1, Kora Cooper (Rag), 3, Tom Robinson (Whngrei), 4, Jack Lee (Whaka), 5, Finn Johnson (Gis)
■Under 14 Boys Division
1, Jayden Willoughby (Rag), 2, Navryn Malone (Rag), 3, Reef Newdick (Mount), 4, Jai Wallis (Auck), 5, Bill Byers (Piha)
■Under 20 Girls Division
1, Billie Scott (Whangarei), 2, Indica Ratima (Rag), 3, Maaia Reid-Bennett (Mount), 4, Lily McDonald (Te Aroha)
■Under 18 Girls Division
1, Kea Smith (Arataki), 2, Tiana-Breeze de Mooj (Mount), 3, Tegen Bishop (Chch), 4, Aimee Brown (Auck), 4, Saffi Vette (Gis)
■Under 16 Girls Division
1, Brie Bennett (Rag), 2, Georgia Wederell (Mount), 3, Hannah King (Gis), 4, Charlie Phillips (Aus), 5, Stella Smith (Gis)
■Under 14 Girls Division
1, Natasha Gouldsbury (Tara), 2, Anna Brock (Mount), 3, Daizee Rawls (Gis), 4, Asia Braithwaite (Gis), 5, Liv Haysom (Piha)