“The conditions really couldn’t have been much better.
“We saw some great racing across all the age groups. There were some outstanding performances but most of all the kids who raced all showed the willingness to learn.
“They asked questions and tried to be better every time they raced.”
Organiser Jason Pocock said there were challenges to bring the series to life again this season.
“We all know running events in times like these isn’t without hurdles, but we are incredibly lucky to be supported by some great sponsors,” he said.
“Having Eastland Port and Teamline come back on board was great. They provided some amazing support and we cannot thank them enough.
“Sonic Surf Craft NZ are our naming sponsor but they also put in hours and hours of time to help bring the events to life. We are very lucky to have supporters and friends like these.”
Sonic Surf Craft’s Matt Sutton said the chance to bring the event back to Gisborne was too good to pass up.
“Gisborne really turned it on for the competitors at the weekend,” he said.
“We had a great time last time in some pretty gnarly conditions. This time it’s been brilliant.”
Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, Pocock was unable to have last season’s mentors return, but with Kent, Dawson Building Midway’s Chris Dawson, Madi Kidd and Star Teaukura they had equally talented mentors to call on.
“All four of the kaiarahi (mentors) did a fantastic job,” he said.
The series moves to Auckland’s Red Beach next, in mid-February, where another group of athletes will get the chance to test themselves and learn from their mentors.
Ocean Warrior Gisborne results
Under-17 male: Jack Lepper 1, Jackson Hamilton 2, Angus Lowe 3. Female: Sophie Petro 1, Michaela Pocock 2, Bella Drain 3.
U14 male: Yahni Brown 1, Zac Cairns 2, Lucas Forbes 3. Female: Ella Sutton 1, Emily Petro 2, Charlie Keepa 3.
U12 male: Riley Knight 1, Charlie Castles 2, Zane Taylor 3. Female: Gabrielle Searle 1, Lucy Kinnear 2, Lilly Hammond 3.
The overall Ocean Warriors were Lucas Forbes and Libby Redmond.
