Christie can expect big waves in first qualifying event

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

National champion Ricardo Christie and Billy Stairmand will fly the flag for the Kiwis in the men’s competition as they begin their hunt for a World Tour berth.

Weather forcasts suggests Newcastle is set to be hit by decent swell as high as 3m just in time for the competition, which starts on Monday. The first major QS event is the 6000-point Burton Automotive Pro in Newcastle.

Gisborne-Mahia surfer Christie made it to round 3 of the 2017 contest, before going on to win the Martinique Surf Pro and finishng the year ranked 31st on the QS from which the top 10 qualify for the elite Championship Tour (CT).

Yesterday, Christie’s bid to return to surfing’s CT was given a much-welcome financial boost.

Former All White and Gisbiorne City footballer and surfing fan Noah Hickey has helped raised over $35,000 through crowdfunding to go towards Christie’s travel and competition costs.

After starting the season in water temperatures as cold as minus 3C, Kiwi surfers Paige Hareb and Ella Williams will paddle out in much warmer conditions in Newcastle.

With one major event already under their belts, Hareb and Williams go in after making different starts.

In the first event of the season, which was in Florida last month, Hareb made it through to the quarterfinals, while Williams was eliminated in round two.

“It was definitely a new challenge for me,” Williams said. “The waves in Florida offered very little in the way of size and consistency, hopefully Newcastle will be different.” — NZN