District waves carry young surfers to contest heights

TOP YOUNGSTERS: James Ririnui (Mount Maunganui), Tom Butland (Taranaki), Finn Johnson (Gisborne) and Tom Robinson (Whangarei) were the finalists of the boys' division at the National Primary School Championships which was held at district beaches over the weekend. Picture by Cory Scott/NZ Surfing Magazine

TWO GISBORNE surfers were among the finalists at the National Primary School Championships at Makorori Beach on Sunday.

The concluding heats were held at the northern end of the beach in two- to three-foot surf, after preliminary rounds were held at Tolaga Bay on Saturday.

Finn Johnson was unbeaten up until the final, where he was outscored by Whangarei surfer and boys’ contest winner Thomas Robinson.

Campion College student Johnson placed third overall out of the 26 competitors after scoring a final heat total of 8.23 out of 20.

This was just 0.18 of a point shy of second place, which was claimed by Tom Butland of Taranaki, and 1.60 off Robinson’s score.

Manawa Ruru (Gisborne Intermediate School) carved his way into the semifinals and posted a two-wave score of 6.33 but was eliminated by Butland (10.83) and James Ririnui (10.67) of Mt Maunganui.

The standard of surfing was high and some of the other Gisborne surfers were unlucky not to progress to the finals, Andy Vette from Gisborne Boardriders Club said.

“The event was hotly contested and a few of our boys came really close,” he said.

“When it came to the final heats, any one of the eight, including Finn and Manawa, could have won it.

“Credit to Thomas Robinson though; he performed really well and deserved to win.”

Georgia Wederell of Mt Maunganui claimed her third straight win in the girls’ division.

She posted a 6.33 total against the only other competitor, Levin surfer Natasha Goldsbury (2.33), in the final heat.

Mr Vette hoped more girls from Gisborne and other parts of the country would be encouraged to compete in the future.

“There is definitely room for improvement in terms of numbers in the girls’ division,” he said.

“We need to try to get more of them to have a go.

“I know a few local girls could have entered but were lacking some confidence. I think this will change in the coming years.”

The conditions were challenging on both days of the event.

“At Tolaga Bay on Saturday it was one to three foot and offshore, which was ideal, but the weather was not so kind.

“It was sunny and warm on Sunday at Makorori with a decent-sized swell, but the wind was onshore.

“This meant wave selection was even more important than usual for the youngsters. But they adjusted well and it was a great experience for them.”

He praised the structure of the contest.

“The format is excellent. All the kids got to surf three times and they accumulated points according to their placings in each heat, with the top eight going through to the semifinals.

“This gave everyone a fair chance and enabled them to shine.”

The competition was organised by Surfing New Zealand and presented by Eastland Community Trust, with help from Gisborne Boardriders Club and sponsor Sticky Johnson.

Two other surfing events are being held at Gisborne beaches this week.

The National Scholastic Surfing Championships began yesterday for secondary school students and will run until Friday.

Many of the surfers who competed in the primary schools competition are attending a week-long training course, called the Grom Lab, which also started yesterday.