Summer Slam a hit with young surfers

SURFING TALENT IN THE MAKING: Among the rising talents was seven-year-old Ella Sutton, daughter of Midway Surf Life Saving Club coach and former surf lifesaving international Matt Sutton. Pictures by Rebecca Grunwell

The line-up at Midway’s Pipe surf break was more stacked than usual this weekend. The Boardroom Summer Slam is a free surf competition put on each year by The Boardroom owners Tom and Hayley Dalton.

This year around 200 kids attended the Sunday morning event. The Boardroom provides boards for kids who do not own one with the aim that it will help grow the sport in the region. Hayley said the day was awesome.

“There were perfect waves and perfect conditions. There was probably close to 300 people there if you count all the parents and siblings.

“It was nice and sunny and we had lots of helpers and parents in the water too.”

The competition comprises four age groups — under-10s, 10-11yrs, 12-13yrs and over 14. Hayley said while it was a contest it was not really about winning.

“We go around to all the schools before the event and we try to get kids to come along with their friends, so we can put them in a heat together. That way they are just out there with their mates.”

They always get plenty of kids turn up who have never surfed before, which keeps Surfing with Frank busy giving free lessons.

“It is amazing what the day does for kids and their surfing. It gets them back in the water again for summer.”

Summer Slam would not be the same without a heap of giveaways, including second-hand and new surfboards. This year Kea Murphy and Jack Willock won second-hand boards while a stoked Hue Cowie went home with a brand new board.

“We also had someone there filming on the day so that will be up on our Facebook page soon,” said Hayley.

To visit the Boardroom’s Facebook page go to LOST surfboards NZ.

Summer Slam resultsUnder-10 division: Shea Ferguson 1, Jett Dalton 2, Rudy Abbott 3, Perle Rasby 4.

10-11: Tigher West-Hill 1, Daizee Rawls 2, Minnie Jackson 4, Asia Braithwaite 4.

12-13 division: Kai Woolf 1, Finn Johnson 2, Manuwa Ruru 3, Finn Murphy 4.

Over-14 division: Riaki Ruru 1, Kobe Johnson 2, Finn Johnson 3, Manuwa Ruru 4.

Go to more pictures of the young Slammers