Izaro Williamson Sasia won the open and junior women's divisions of the Gathering of Stoke longboard competition held in excellent conditions at The Pipe break at Midway Beach. Photo / Derek Fryer
Izaro Williamson Sasia won the open and junior women's divisions of the Gathering of Stoke longboard competition held in excellent conditions at The Pipe break at Midway Beach. Photo / Derek Fryer
The sixth annual Gathering of Stoke longboard competition held last weekend delivered what was described as an unforgettable day of surfing in near-perfect autumn conditions.
Competitors were greeted with clean swell up to a metre high, glassy conditions and light offshore winds that held steady throughout the day at ThePipe Break at Midway Beach.
Clear skies and sunshine provided a classic East Coast backdrop.
Trent Lillis shows the style that earned him top honours in the open men's division. Photo / Derek Fryer
Conditions were fitting reward for the out-of-town surfers who made the journey to Tairāwhiti from places such as Taranaki, Mangawhai Heads and Bay of Plenty.
More than 70 competitors took part in the Gisborne Boardriders Club-run event which showcased their skills and underlined the depth of talent in New Zealand longboarding.
The standard was high across all divisions, with particularly strong growth on display in the junior men’s and women’s fields.
The mid-length division, introduced last year, proved popular once again, further broadening the event’s accessibility.
Surfing New Zealand’s involvement was a major boost.
Dan Croskery surfed his way to victories in the over-40 and over-50 age divisions. His 16.90 total in the O50s was the highest score over all finals. Photo / Derek Fryer
Behind the scenes, the event was a true community effort, strongly backed by sponsors - First Light Solar playing a key role alongside a range of generous supporters.
The Gathering of Stoke is more than just a competition.
Lauded as “the most inclusive surf comp of the year”, it balances the competitive spirit with a communal atmosphere of positive energy.
Feedback from competitors and supporters alike was overwhelmingly positive, with many already looking forward to next year’s event.
FINALS RESULTS (points total is for two best waves)
