THE SUN has been shining, waves have been pumping. Gizzy is back in form and just in time for Christmas too.
It was a beautiful sight on Tuesday as peaky, overhead A-frames unloaded up and down Wainui Beach, glistening with the light offshore and afternoon glow.
Sure, it was crowded but everyone was enjoying themselves,, and there were more than enough waves to go around. That is how Gizzy is meant to be.
It has been a huge year for Gisborne surfing, especially women’s surfing.
That was recognised in the Gisborne Boardriders Club prizegiving on the weekend where 15-year old Stella Smith was named sportsperson of the year.
Smith placed seventh in the open women’s SUP division at the ISA world championships in Denmark earlier this year.
She travelled over there with sister Jasmine Smith, who competed in the prone paddle, and Sean Hovell, who was in the open men’s SUP division.
Saffi Vette also represented New Zealand this year, competing for the first time in the ISA junior world championships in Japan.
The finale of the men’s World Surf League Championship Tour, the Pipeline Masters, played out in spectacular fashion this week.
Hawaiian John John Florence showed the world he has really come into his own over the past few years, clinching his second consecutive CT title.
The world knew about Florence’s potential well before he first appeared on the CT in 2011, having grown up at Pipeline and mingling with the world’s top surfers since before he could walk.
However, his first five years on the tour were plagued by inconsistent performances.
He had a bit of Kelly Slater’s flowing style and competitiveness but with maybe a bit too much of Dane Reynolds’ carefree attitude.
Now it looks like he has settled into his own style, keeping his raw power but toning it down just enough to consistently post ridiculously high heat scores.
Brazil’s Gabriel Medina seems like the only other surfer on the planet who can rival Florence at the moment, and gave the CT the competition it needed.
He needed to finish ahead of Florence at the Pipeline event to pip him for the CT title but came up just short, losing in his quarterfinal to Jeremy Flores (France), who went on to beat Florence in the dying seconds of the final.
Medina gave it his heart and soul, overcoming the great Kelly Slater (United States) in round 5 — and giving him a taste of his own competitive medicine — but it was not enough.
There has been some criticism of Medina’s competitiveness, especially in how he used his priority to prevent Slater from making a long barrel, and consequently posting a high wave score.
However, Slater has done almost exactly the same thing before, using his priority to burn Australia’s Joel Parkinson in the 2011 Gold Coast Pro at Kirra.
Either way it was a great competition and showed exactly how entertaining the sport can be.
The women’s CT finale at Maui several weeks back played out in just as dramatic fashion, with Australia’s Tyler Wright also going back-to-back in claiming a second CT title in as many years.
The women had a pumping swell for much of the competition and it was awesome to see them rise to the challenge, shred some epic tubes and lay down some enormous hacks.
Well, I am sad to say that this is my final Out The Back column.
I am wrapping up my time at The Gisborne Herald today and moving back to Auckland to try some new things.
I am fully aware of what I am leaving behind and there is no doubt I will be back for many a visit.
As I have commented previously, not only has Gisborne got some of the most amazing and consistent surf breaks in the country, but some of the friendliest people.
I am truly grateful to the Gisborne surfing community for the warmth I have been given here, and, from a reporting perspective, the opportunity to share some awesome stories.
Nga mihi nui.
See you out the back, one day.
GISBORNE BOARDRIDERS
CLUB PRIZEGIVING
Under-12s: Benny Kassel.
Under-14s: Manawa Ruru.
Under-16s: Noah Collier.
Under-20s: Ian Roux.
Open men: Sean Hovell.
Open women: Hannah King.
Over-35s: Kelly Ryan.
Over-50s: Richard Page.
Over-60s: John Gisby.
Most improved: Benny Kassel.
Super grom: Ian Roux.
Club person of the year: Nikki Horsman.
Sportsperson of the year: Stella Smith.