Gisborne Boardriders Club won the overall best-performing club in the event, stripping Point Boardriders of Raglan of the title in a mercilessly aggressive tackle. Each club’s top five best results are combined to find the champion club. With Ricardo Christie first in the open men, Maz Quinn first in the over-40 division, Stella Smith first in the open women’s stand-up paddleboard, John Gisby first in the over-60 men, George Zame first in the junior longboard and Gina Samson first in the over-50 women’s division, it was a bit of a whitewash victory for hosting club Gisborne Boardriders.
Club president Andy Vette was severely injured while surfing at Makorori just before the nationals. He dropped from the lip of a wave, his back foot slipped off, leaving all his weight directly over the front leg. The lip of the wave brought the board back up at the same time, pushing his femur up with such force his hip was broken. The injury was severe enough for an ambulance to be dispatched.
Vette underwent a lengthy operation and now faces several months of recovery.
Club's annual general meeting delayed until February 7Due to the injury, the club’s annual general meeting has been delayed until Wednesday, February 7. It will be held at 5.30pm at Wainui Surf Life Saving Club. All are welcome to come along for a say about all things surf-related in our district.
Give something back to your sport in the most rewarding way. Meet like-minded proactive surfers interested in the development of our sport and positive pathways for surfers of all ages.
Gisborne Boardriders Club juniors are off to contest the first event of the Billabong Grom Series at Mt Maunganui this weekend. The team of nine will not only be looking for individual success but also fighting for a club title which has been introduced this year for the three-event series.
The second event takes place in Whangamata on February 10 and 11, and the third will be held at Piha on the weekend of February 24 and 25.
Travelling juniors are Manawa Ruru, Finn Johnson, Saffi Vette, Finn Vette, Noah Collier, Daizee Rawles, Hannah King, Asia Braithwaite and Jay Ryan.
Non-surfing partners hoping for a southerly changeGisborne surfers could be forgiven for not wanting to know what the surf will be like this weekend, given the consistency and quality of our summer. Many local lawns and gardens lie neglected. Non-surfing partners of surfers will be hoping for a southerly change to bring their loved ones back from the beach.
Alas, the coast beaches are looking fantastic for the weekend with a fresh two-to-three-foot north-east swell active for both tomorrow and Sunday.
This new swell is set to replace the existing but fading south swell and the winds are forecast to be light offshore with sea breezes in the afternoon.
Sorry to be the bearer of such news. I speak for myself when I say the shoulders could do with a rest. Next week maybe.
