Saffi Vette GBC surfer of the year

A WAVE TO THE YEAR: At a Gisborne Boardriders Club annual gathering on Sunday, surfing development manager Florian Bub (left) and GBC president Dan Croskery presented Saffi Vette with the surfer of the year award. Other notable surfers were also acknowledged, and Hall of Fame and life memberships announced. Picture by Don Pearson

The annual gathering of Gisborne Boardriders Club (GBC) members is an opportunity to award the year's notable surfers, announce entries to the Hall of Fame, and life memberships.

The surfer of the year award went to Saffi Vette, and the most improved junior was Shea Ferguson. Emily Walpole was named club person/volunteer of the year, while Flo Bub was named most improved longboarder.

Inducted into the club's Hall of Fame were Ben Hutchings and Chris Ransley, while Gail Patty and Paul Dobson were made life members.

Awarded life membership posthumously were Bob Davie, Geoff Logan and Des Byrne.

Life membership signifies outstanding service and contribution and is not handed out lightly, says committee member Andrew McCulloch.

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“Feedback we have from the families is they are honoured and stoked to know the names of their loved ones are still remembered and recorded in club history.”

GBC surfing development manager Florian Bub says the prize-giving, held in December every year, is an opportunity to bring together members, supporters, sponsors, coaches and parents.

It is also an opportunity to reflect on the past year, he says.

One of several highlights of the year for Bub was a learn-to-surf session at Waipiro Bay for local youngsters.

“They stayed in the water for four hours. They didn't want to get out.

“Another highlight was just seeing everyone come back to the club and get back together. It's a beautiful thing, to see the whole surfing community come together.”

The GBC's divisional winners were —

Under-12, boys: Gabriel Lobb. Girls: Hine Brooking.

U14, boys: Dale Cromhout. Girls: Asia Braithwaite.

U16: Daizee Rawls.

Women: Rina Kitazawa.

Open men: Finn Vette.

Over-50, men: Francois Sneedon. Women: Marguerite Vujcich.

Over-60: John Gisby.

Longboard winners —

Modern: Dan Croskery.

Log (traditional): Guy Burns.

Junior: Geordie Sawyer.

Women: Marguerite Vujcich.

Over-50: Jinx Johnson.