Cyclone Victor smiles on GBC opener

HARD TO BEAT: Abby Falwasser-Logan with a huge back-hand turn during the Gisborne Boardriders Club competition on Saturday at Wainui beach. She went on to win the open women's final. Picture by Paul Rickard

PUMPING waves and scorching weather combined for the first Gisborne Boardriders Club contest of the year at Wainui Beach on Saturday.

The continued run of clean north-east swell from Cyclone Victor provided ideal conditions for more than 40 competitors in the 10 divisions.

The metre-high waves were predominately left-handers at Whales, and although the wind went light onshore by the afternoon, conditions were contestable all day.

Hawke’s Bay transplant Eric Sandtmann took what he learned from his rookie year in the club’s open division in 2015 to snatch the win from seasoned locals Sam Johnson, Patrick “Magoo” Braithwaite and Andy Vette.

But with increased numbers competing in the open division, it will be tough for Sandtmann to remain at the top of the ratings.

New Zealand representative Abby Falwasser-Logan was all class in the open women’s final, demonstrating perfect technique as she completed radical re-entries.

She took the win ahead of Abi Daunton, with Kai Woolf third and Saffi Vette fourth.

Hot contest in under-20 finalIn the hotly contested under-20 final, Mt Maunganui’s Ihaia Ngata opted to surf away from the other competitors on the right-handers and performed a successful 360-reverse aerial manoeuvre for which he was awarded 9.5 out of the possible 10 – the highest wave score of the day.

Ben McCulloch produced his usual super-smooth technique to place second. Riaki Ruru (third) and George Busby (fourth) also surfed strongly.

There was a mix of girls and boys in the u16 division, with the girls taking out the two top spots. Woolf won ahead of Saffi Vette, Finn Johnson and Finn Vette.

Johnson saved his best for the u14 final, putting on an impressive display of radical, controlled surfing for the win over Vette and Noah Collier. Daizee Rawls produced a personal best in finishing fourth.

Mahia Braithwaite looked comfortable in her first GBC event, while younger sister Asia put in a great effort in her second event.

Their father — Patrick Braithwaite — showed them how it is done in the over-35 division. He surfed consistently through to the final but had to settle for second place behind Sam Johnson. Cody Keepa and Mark Gardner surfed with great flow and control for third and fourth places respectively.

Sam Mottart won the over-50 division ahead of Richard Page, Andrew “Pom” Devine and Kieran Grealish.

It was no surprise to see 2015 club surfer of the year John Gisby win the over-60s ahead of Ross Moodie. The Gis has been unbeaten in club events for more years than anyone can remember.

Entries were low for the longboard division, but Sam Johnson’s achievements at a national level gave the division credibility. Johnson won the straight final from Sam Mottart, Abi Daunton and Marguerite Vujcich (Napier) in her first GBC contest.

The next contest on the club calendar is a family-friendly barbecue and mixed-age tag team event on Sunday, February 7.

More club information is available on GBC’s Facebook page and website www.gisborneboardriders.com