Surfing: Hicks barrels through competition

Zane Hicks continued his dominance in the Under-18 Boys Division.

Icy cold polar conditions didn't deter competitors at the third and final event of the 2014 Northland Scholastics Surfing Series held at Ahipara, with Zane Hicks winning the under-18 category.

Whangarei Boys' High School student Hicks continued his dominance in the Under-18 Boys Division, winning all of his heats comfortably.

The Ocean Beach surfer, who was involved recently in the Art of Surfing Bali Training Camp, showed superior wave selection and powerful surfing.

Other surfers who performed well at last Friday's event in the division included Callum Robertson-Barnes, of Kerikeri High School, and Matt Jensen, of Bream Bay College, all enjoying the rare right hander on offer at a normally left-hand point break.

In the Under-16 Boys Division, Boys' High's Manu Scott-Arrieta made his return to competition in the series.

Scott-Arrieta recently surfed in the ISA World Junior Surfing Games as a member of the New Zealand Junior Team, and showcased his repertoire in the clean 1.5m plus waves at Mukerau Two.

Local surfer and points leader Kalani Hansen, of Kaitaia College, also continued his solid performance this year in the series coming second behind Scott-Arrieta in the final.

Another stand-out surfer was Pompallier's Kohl Mase who has placed in two finals this year in the series alongside Boys' High's Jamahl Moselen.

Due to challenging conditions, the Under-14 Boys Division was run at Mukerau Beach and the under-14 and 16 girls at Shipwreck Bay.

The under-14 boys enjoyed perfect, long, 1m left handers breaking down the point, favouring the goofy footer in the final.

Pompallier's Luca Mase claimed his second victory of the series ahead of Bream Bay College's Tom Norton.

In the girls event, it was Emily Brunker, of Whangarei Girls' High School, claiming her first win this year ahead of good friend Billie Scott, also of Girls High, in the Under-16 Girls Division.

In the Under-14 Girls Division, it was Macy Polwart - of Girls' High - who picked off the best waves in the final to win the division comfortably.

Next up for the Northland Scholastic Surfing will be the naming of the Northland Scholastics team that will compete at the 2014 Surfing New Zealand National Scholastic Surfing Championships. The competition is being held in New Plymouth from September 29 to October 3.