The Rip Curl New Zealand Surfing Team got off to a sound start on the first day of the 2013 Dakine ISA World Junior Surfing Championships with 11 of 12 surfers progressing to the second qualifying round.
The eight day event is being held at Jiquliste Beach in Nicaragua and the first day presented clean 1m-1.5m waves groomed with offshore winds.
Despite the mid day low tide causing a few close outs, the conditions were great and the Kiwi team made the most of what was on offer.
Mount Maunganui surfers Kehu Butler and Mac Christie made excellent starts and both came second in their respective heats.
Christie looked impressive in the under-18 heats, firstly flying down the line on his backhand and finishing one of his waves cleanly with a big end manoeuvre, before taking to his forehand on his last wave to post a 5.10 point ride for a solid first round progression behind Brazilian Luan Wood on 10.93.
"The Brazilian in my heat was real aggressive, hassling from before the heat even started, so that made it hard to find a rhythm but it is good to get that heat out of the way," said Christie.
In the under-16 division, 13-year-old Butler posted 5.33 points out of 20 to place second. He and Daniel Farr (Taranaki) now head into the second round where nothing short of their best surfing will see them advance alongside the best young surfers from around the globe.
It is the first time representing New Zealand for both surfers and today's progression will do their confidence a world of good.
The Kiwis charge was led by the more experienced surfers in the under-18 Boys Division where all four teammates progressed through to the second round, two surfers winning their heats and two placing second.
Despite being one of the oldest surfers in the team, Sean Kettle is a first time New Zealand representative at an ISA event.
He got the team off to the best possible start winning a tightly contested heat posting 11.34 points.
Kettle set the performance levels and from there on in it was up to his team mates to match him, which they did.
Dune Kennings (WGM) followed soon after winning his heat with a 12.33 point heat total. Kennings got off to a quick start posting a 7.0 point ride for a single blistering forehand top turn.
He then played the waiting game for over ten minutes before locking in another 5.33 point ride and a comfortable win.
"The first day was really good. The team were super supportive and that was really motivating for me.
"It just set up a really good vibe," said Kennings.
On the second podium, the Kiwis in the under-16 Boys Division had a tougher time of it with three surfers progressing in second place while Harrison Whiteside (Chch) suffered defeat at the hands of Adrian Garcia (PER) and division favourite Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA).
Australian based Korbin Hutchings, formerly of Gisborne, surfed a strong heat with his progression never looking in doubt finishing second on 10.13 points.