Local hopes high in surfing Open

Mount Maunganui surfer Hester Sutherland-Stacey has high hopes this weekend's Arnette Open at Tay St could be the best women's surfing event seen in New Zealand for years, providing the surf gods supply suitable swell.
The 18-year-old finished ninth at the Billabong Pro-Teen event in Raglan last weekend, her first event back in New Zealand after a couple of months plying her trade in Australia.
But she'll have stiff competition this weekend, including current national champion Jess Santorik and Kelly Clarkson, who finished second in Raglan at the weekend.
"It will be really close because everyone is surfing so well at the moment," Sutherland-Stacey said.
"I saw everyone last weekend and they're all ripping - it will probably be the best women's event in the country for a long time.
"It is only a beach break but I'm pretty amped and hoping to get a good result. It does help being my home event."
Sutherland-Stacey's sojourn in Australia means she's missed most of the swell that's hit East Coast beaches this summer, courtesy of a packed schedule of tropical cyclones forming in the South Pacific.
But she's experienced good surf at the Arnette event in the past and is hoping that will continue.
"The first year I did it was three or four years ago and it was really good surf then. I haven't been here but apparently this summer has been excellent surf at the Mount - hopefully that will continue this weekend.
"I went out yesterday and it was still really fun, although it was small. It feels like there's good ground swell out there, not just wind swell."
Almost 150 surfers are expected this weekend, with strong competition in the juniors, longboard and seniors division, which has lowered its qualifying age from 35 to 30. Several top surfers from Tonga and Australia are also expected.
Sutherland-Stacey has surfed most of the events on the Pro-Teen circuit in Australia and has noticed a sharp increase in her skills.
"I haven't had any top results but I'm sitting about 20th on the standings.
"It's really good competition - there are New Zealand and Australian surfers, but there's also French, Japanese and South Africans as well.
"It's really pushed me and opened my eyes to how good everyone is.
"It's made me a lot more competitive - it pushes you to a new level, otherwise you just get left behind."
Sutherland-Stacey intends heading back across the ditch at Easter for another Pro-Teen event in Noosa, which also coincides with a WQS tour event.
She's also hoping to set up a flat with several Australian friends on the Gold Coast over winter, working and surfing in preparation for next season.