Competitive fire rekindled

BACK IN ACTION: Mahia-Gisborne surfer Ricardo Christie started his 2020 campaign at the Sydney Surf Pro at Manly Beach. He made it to Round 3, placing third in his heat to finish 25th-equal overall and collect 750 points towards his bid to return to the World Surf League's Championship Tour. Picture by Matt Dunbar/WSL via Getty Images

An inspired Ricardo Christie will head into New Zealand's biggest-ever surfing contest with some valuable competition experience under his belt.

The 31-year-old lost his place on the World Surf League's Championship Tour (CT) last year and was questioning his desire to return to the competitive cauldron in 2020.

The summer break, during which he travelled and coached youngsters as part of the Ricardo Christie surfing academy, reignited the fire.

“I was doing two tours last year and by the end of it I was pretty rinsed,” Christie told Radio Sport recently, referring to CT and Qualifying Series contests that took him to nations ranging from South Africa to Brazil to France.

“It was so much time away . . . so I was really looking forward to actually not doing it this year.

“But I think I'd like to be back on the world tour, and I'd just commit to the one tour when I qualified. I wouldn't do both tours and I'm sure I'd enjoy myself a lot more and probably get some better results.

“I still love surfing . . . I'm fit, I'm healthy, I still love to compete, so I'll go do a couple events. I just don't want to do 20 in the year.”

“Hanging out” with grommets contributed to his rejuvenation.

“The last couple of months I've been feeling the most excited about surfing in a long time,” he told his extensive Facebook following.

“Probably due to hanging out with all the groms at the @ricardochristie.academy. Their froth is infectious and kinda reminds me of how I used to be when I fell in love with it. Now I just gotta walk my talk.”

Christie was back in action at the Sydney Pro Challenger Series currently on at Manly Beach.

The Challenger Series, new to the World Surf League this year, comprises the eight main Qualifying Series contests.

Each one has 10,000 points up for grabs.

Christie started the Sydney Pro in Round 2.

He posted 11.67 (5.0, 6.67) for his two best waves to place second behind Italian Leonardo Fiorvanti.

Christie was knocked out in Round 3. He was third with a score of 12.0 (5.03, 6.97), finishing behind Brazilians Jadson Andre (13.84) and Michael Rodrigues (13.83).

The second of the Challenger Series contests is the Corona Piha Pro in New Zealand, starting on March 16.

Christie will line up alongside fellow Kiwis Billy Stairmand, Elliot Paerata-Reid and Kehu Butler in the men's contest headlined by surfing superstar Kelly Slater.