Gisborne Boardriders Club kicked off the competition season on Saturday with its first rated event for 2018.
It is rare indeed to get a whole day of gently groomed offshore, overhead waves on a scheduled competition day.
That’s how it unfolded: Red Bus Makorori for the adults and a second venue set up next door at Centres for the juniors — competition was on.
Andrew McCulloch has taken on the role of competition director this year and he nailed it with both venue selection and general organisation.
With two venues running, the event was wrapped up by 1.30pm, allowing competitors and spectators some early reprieve from the heat.
Red Bus was a busy place that morning as local free surfers mixed with competitors in the same arena.
On the whole, free surfers and competitors worked in well together with minimal issues.
For the record, Gisborne Boardriders Club doesn’t have sole rights to any beach or break and aims to work in respectfully with anyone enjoying the waves at any break at which it holds its monthly event.
Probably the best option for free surfers and competitors sharing a crowded peak is good communication about what waves you want and observation of the basic rule of the surfer closest to the break having right of passage.
But there is also an unwritten rule that you don’t surf in a competition area.
Occasionally conditions get perfect and occasionally an event is scheduled on one of these days.
GDC is committed to growing champions in our region and used two venues last weekend to give the juniors a suitable space to trial a plate and cup event, giving each surfer a minimum of two heats and to speed up the day so as not to expose members to all-day sun.
Parental support was excellent.
Finn Johnson was the standout surfer of the day, taking out the under-20 and open events. Hannah King won the award for most improved competitor.
RESULTS — Under-14 Cup: Benny Kassel 1, Eli Livingstone 2, Kahu Ruru 3, Jay Ryan 4.
Plate: Mahia Braithwaite 1, Sophia Zame 2, Malo Anderson 3, Mylo Livingstone 4.
Under-20: Finn Johnson 1, Ian Roux 2, Manawa Ruru 3, Hannah King 4.
Open: Finn Johnson 1, Manawa Ruru 2, Blair Dods 3, Ian Roux 4.
Open women: Saffi Vette 1, Hannah King 2.
Over-35: Kelly Ryan 1, Blair Dods 2, Richard Page 3, Nick Witters 4.
Over-50: Richard Page 1, Mike Yukich 2, Andrew Devine 3.
Over-60: John Gisby 1, Max Bryant 2, Ross Moodie 3, Jim Milne 4.
On Saturday, March 10, Gisborne Boardriders Club, in conjunction with the Hansen family, will hold the “Bobcomp” — a fun day at the beach celebrating life with the Hansens and commemorating the passing of Bob Hansen in March last year.
The contest itself is designed to maximise fun.
Surfers may enter one division and that is determined by age and chosen board.
The event is free to enter, although you may make a donation on the day to the Tauawhi Men Against Violence Centre.
Under-45 competitors are classed as juniors and over-45s are open competitors.
Enter the event at www.gisborneboardriders.com
Gisborne grommets travelling to Piha this weekend for the final Billabong Grom Series event will be looking to shake off the poor form that had most struggling in the wild surf on offer at the second contest in Whangamata.
Finn Johnson was Gisborne’s top performer in Whangamata and the only Gisborne surfer to make a final. He placed third in the talent-laden u16 division and is within striking distance of a series win this weekend.
With all due respect to the many central New Zealanders affected by Cyclone Gita this week, I must say it’s relieving for us when the Tasman Sea is so warm that tropical cyclones track south and don’t spend several days tormenting the East Coast.
So strange to think, in our balmy summer swelter, that less than a thousand kilometres away a state of emergency is being declared.
Surfers on Australia’s eastern coastline were treated to some spectacular surf this week courtesy of Gita.
Epic footage of Gold Coast breaks like Kirra, Burleigh Heads and Snapper Rocks has been polluting the internet all week. I watched with a blend of awe and jealousy as 2012 world champion Joel Parkinson threaded three six-second barrels on an eight-foot Kirra drainpipe.
Surfing this weekend? You should be. Tomorrow morning is looking fantastic with two to three feet of pure south swell, although the wind will ruin it by midday.
Sunday dawns even bigger, with a stronger period southerly swell and offshore winds all day long.
Ryan’s rating: 7/10.