Youth talent on show in local waters

TECHNICAL MANOEUVRE: Ben McCulloch, here surfing in Gisborne Boardriders Club’s first tournament of the year, in January, won the under-18 division at Gisborne Boys’ High School’s invitational competition at Makorori Beach on Friday. Picture by Paul Rickard

JUNIOR surfers from three powerhouse districts of New Zealand surfing took part in the Gisborne Boys’ High School Invitational Surfing Competition on Friday. Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne junior surfing talent was in plentiful supply at the competition, which was hosted by Gisborne Boys’ High in home waters for the third year running.

Students taking part came from New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Tauranga Boys’ College, Lytton High School, Campion College and Gisborne Boys’ and Gisborne Girls’ high schools.

Perfect two-foot waves at the Red Bus break at Makorori Beach greeted the 55 surfers spanning four divisions.

After eight hours of competition, New Plymouth Boys’ High were in first place, on 3600 points; Campion were second, on 3400; Gisborne Boys’ High were third, on 2800; Tauranga Boys’ College were fourth, on 2500; and Lytton were fifth on 1300.

The girls’ contest was a stand-alone division.

Nick Chapman, Gisborne Boys’ High teacher in charge of surfing, said the event was now a key part of all Gisborne high schools’ surfing programmes. It helped prepare students for the national secondary school surfing championships in Raglan in Term 3. He said the event format mirrored that of the national championships — the top four results from each school went towards the overall team score.

With Gisborne being one of the premier surf destinations in New Zealand, students from outside schools looked forward to the competition, and the opportunity to enjoy waves up and down the East Coast, Chapman said. The contest exposed young surfers to a high calibre of surfing competition.

“It was great to see such an excellent turnout and we’re already looking forward to next year,” said Chapman, who thanked Gisborne Boardriders Club and sponsors for their support.