Vette starts Grom Series in style

WINNING WAYS: Saffi Vette makes the most of the waves on offer in the Grom Series round at Whangamata in February. Vette won the under-17 girls’ division at the Whangamata event. Picture by Cory/NZ Surfing Magazine

THE Vette siblings shone while another member of the Smith family emerged as a rising force in the opening leg of the Grom Series in Whangamata at the weekend.

Gisborne surfing development manager Kelly Ryan took an 11-strong Gisborne team to the contest and was pleased to see three of them make finals.

“Saffi Vette was easily our top performer in the event, taking a huge lead in the final and winning the under-17 girls’ division convincingly,” said Ryan.

“She left her fellow finalists requiring a combination of scores to catch her 17.60 total.

“This was a far cry from her near-elimination in the semifinals and credit must go to Saffi for her ability, tenacity and competitive nature.”

Vette’s advancement from the semis was at the expense of Gisborne surfer Kai Woolf, and Ryan felt for her.

“Kai was caught out on an interference call. She was comfortably through to the final on points but became tangled up with two other competitors going for a large set wave.”

Ava Smith, surfing for the first time in a national-rated competition, made the u14 girls’ final.

“She looks set to follow in the footsteps of both her older sisters (Jasmine and Stella) as she went about scalping under-14 girl surfers from all over New Zealand on her way to fourth in that division.

“For a girl who, until now, didn’t really surf, Ava has an exciting future. Her seemingly nonchalant, relaxed attitude to surfing contrasts vividly with her talent,” said Ryan.

“Finn Vette was our third finalist and finished third overall in the u14 boys’ event. Finn showed flashes of absolute brilliance in the early rounds but had to settle for third in the final. Judging by his performance and competitive spirit it will be just a matter of time before he takes a win in one of these events.”

Hannah King made the u14 girls’ semifinals.

“She showed great fitness, athleticism and a keen competitive spirit to place fourth,” said Ryan. “Watch out for her as she gathers experience.

Finn Johnson stepped up to the u17 boys’ division for the first time and, at 14, was the youngest in that division.

“This did not stop him taking down big names in a stacked competition. Finn finished fifth overall. Look out for this aggressive surfer as he gathers momentum in the series.”

Ryan made special mention of Te Haukopa Ehau Taumaunu and Finn Murphy — both competing in the u17 boys’ division.

“Te Haukopa surfed smoothly and managed to score one good wave. He was unable to back it up and was eliminated in Round 2. He could easily better that performance as he gathers experience competing. Finn was very nearly through to the quarterfinals but also fell just short in Round 2. He did get two good scores but was pipped by other competitors.”

The next event in the Grom Series is at Piha in a fortnight. The third and final contest is at Mount Maunganui on March 11-12.