Youngsters make waves at champs

Carving up: Archie Alder looks to score points with a big turn off the lip of the wave while on his way to winning the year 6-and-below division of the OPSM Tairawhiti Primary School Champs held last weekend. —Picture by Derek Fryer Photography

WAVES were on tap for 2022's OPSM Tairawhiti Junior Champs over the weekend.

Almost 100 groms from Wharekahika to Mahia took to the water, with 41 girls and 50 boys taking part over the two days of competition.

Held at Makarori's Northerns, the waves were perfect conditions for the next generation of local surfers to showcase their talent.

In the boy's year 9 and 10 division, it was Austin Fergus who came out on top, with his 13 point heat-total just one point clear of the second-placed Nikau Anderson.

While on the girl's side of the division, it was Te Waiotu Fairlie who impressed the judges with her strong surfing to walk away with the title.

Charlotte McDiarmid took home the biggest heat score of the day, with a 14.5 total in the girl's year 7 and 8 division to win the final by over five points.

Gisborne Boardriders surfing development officer Flo Bub said it was “epic” to see so many girls getting involved with the event.

Results:

Girls Push-in: Indy Williams 1, Adele McFarlane 2, Ruby Burns 3, Lola Dods 4.

Boys Push-in: Flynn Dalton 1, Mac Crichton 2, Carlos Borrero 3, Lenny Quinn 4.

Girls Year 6 and below: Lola Stewart (9.8) 1, Celia Martin (7.3) 2, Lily Rose-Cairns (4.9) 3, Madeline Smith (3.3) 4.

Boys Year 6 and below: Archie Alder (11.4) 1, Jaxon Pardoe (11.2) 2, Harry McFarlane (11) 3, Tobias Smith (4.4) 4, Rusty Lambert (3.5), 5.

Girls year 7 and 8: Charlotte McDiarmid (14.5) 1, Josephine Lambert (9) 2, Mika Gordon( 8.5) 3, Pareraukawa Haenga (6) 4, Alice Varey (3) 5.

Boys year 7 and 8: Luca Tong (14) 1, Rori Fukushima-Hall (10.5) 2, Charlie Castles (10.4) 3, Momo Vera Steffen (8.1) 4.

Girls year 9 and 10: Te Waiotu Fairlie 1, Lucy McDiarmid 2, Brooke Matthews 3, Bonnie Lynch 4.

Boys year 9 and 10: Austin Fergus (13) 1, Nikau Anderson (12) 2, Harry Hayward (10.5) 3, Waitama Crowley (4) 4.