High flyer: Matt Scorringe's Art of Surfing workshops in Whangamata were in hot demand. Photo / Cory Scott
Art of Surfing owner and surf coach Matt Scorringe was in hot demand last week for his coaching skills in sellout workshops with groms and adults. Alison Smith asked the local some questions.
When the New Zealand Olympic team was unveiled, Whangamata surfer Ella Williams and coach Matt Scorringe, 35,
were announced among the team. "Two surfers from Whangamata - that's pretty incredible for the town," reflects Matt.
Why does Whangamata produce such great surfing talent?
"It's definitely a combination of factors, the core are the rich history of the town with surfing, and it all starts with Whangamata Bar. That is the holy grail of Whangamata's surfing history, it's why so many moved into town and became the core pioneers of surfers and manufacturers. They were the first generation, and the then the second generation like the Kennings boys, Dune and Ben, Ella and myself and a list of school kids out of that time are products of that environment. Whangamata's surf environment plus history of quality of surfers and surfers to look up to and be inspired by and pushed by."
What attributes does Whangamata have in its set up that defines this environment?
"From my coaching perspective, a quality wave combined with the typically standard beach break. In competition, people have to surf bad waves good, and to do that they have to generate their own speed vs surfing places like Raglan and Taranaki. There's a long list of world champions that grew up on crap waves. We had that plus Whangamata Bar that didn't break often but when it did, it ironed things out."
How helpful is coaching for older surfers who've been surfing for a long time?
"I coach a lot of adult recreational surfers, we pick a bad day because it highlights issues. If you want to get better, go out in everything."
