Smith sisters shine despite conditions

WHEN thinking of surfing in Denmark, thoughts that come to mind are: freezing, and, do they even have waves?

Turns out that is pretty much the case, with barely a ripple on offer amid Arctic conditions for the 2017 International Surfing Association (ISA) World StandUp Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championships in Denmark.

The SUP surfing competition site is situated at the beachbreak of Vorupør on the north-west coast of the country, and known as “Cold Hawaii”.

So far it looks like only the first part of that nickname holds true as competitors had to wait until 1pm during the first day of the SUP Surfing discipline this week for the Arctic wind to whip up a little onshore slop.

Tairawhiti waterman Sean Hovell, who really excels in the big stuff, did all he could but came in third in his Round 1 heat, which meant the end of his event.

Fellow Gisborne surfer Stella Smith, who also rips when it gets solid, showed her talent in all conditions by winning her heat and progressing to Round 2.

Her elder sister Jasmine advanced to the final of the women’s prone technical race earlier in the week.

Also in the surfing discipline, Gold Coast-based Trevor Tunnington advanced in the men’s division, as did Lucy Te Moananui (Kaikoura) in the women’s division.

New Zealand overall slipped to second on the team points standings.

Our other international surfer Ricardo Christie has continued his tough run in Europe, getting knocked out in Round 2 of the Qualifying Series-6000 Azores Airlines Pro.

Coming into the second half of the 2017 QS, Christie is in 14th place. He will need to finish the year in the top 10 to qualify for the elite 2018 Championship Tour.

Christie’s next chance to earn some major points will be the 10,000-point-rated EDP Billabong Pro Cascais 2017 in Portugal, beginning on September 26.

On the local scene, the Gisborne Boardriders Club shortboard series is about to resume after a winter hiatus with the New Wave competition No.7 on September 23.

The waiting period also continues for the Mike Lewin Shapes Surf Competition, on hold indefinitely for a weekend with the best waves possible.

However, with micro waves forecast this weekend it is highly unlikely that event will get the green light.

In fact, it is potentially on the unsurfable side of small. The weather looks the goods, though, so pick another outdoor activity and go have some fun.

If you do make it out for a ripple, on Sunday watch out for a potential grom attack as the Neighborhood Pizzeria Scholastics Sunday training sessions get under way.

The training sessions will run most Sundays for the next six weeks leading up to the National Scholastics event in Gisborne from October 9 to 13.

See you out the back.