Home swell for North's students

Northland scholastics surfing team is fired up and ready to do battle against the rest of the country's student surfers next month when the Surfing NZ National Scholastics Championships comes to the Far North.

Northlanders are hoping the home waters advantage will enhance their chances of a top ranking, and are looking for a solid result this year.

With the Surfing New Zealand event being run in Ahipara from October 10-14, the 12-strong Northland team of school-aged surfers are ready to play host, and with recent exposure to the Far North breaks, they are quietly confident that local knowledge will pay off.

Current 2011 Surfing NZ under-14 national champion Manu Scott-Arrieta is in the team, along with 2011 NZ Surfing Team member Paul Moretti (ISA world juniors in Peru) from Mimiwhangata and there is a depth of talent and experience that is indicative of the growth of scholastics surfing in the region over recent years.

Last weekend the Northland team gathered in Ahipara for a team training camp and spent much of the weekend running through surfing heats, judging and competition strategies under the guidance of a number of ISA qualified judges. It was the first time the team had been together since the completion of the highly successful 2011 Northland Scholastics Surfing Series and the 12 team members plus reserves made the most of the swell on offer of the point break waves at Mukerau 2 and Pines.

Kamo High School surfer Patxi Scott-Arrieta has been named team captain for this year's event. Northland Scholastics Team

Under-14 Boys: Manu Scott-Arrieta (WBHS), Sergio Hansen (Kaitaia College), Ryan Renall (Rodney College).

Under-16 Boys: Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata), Joe Palmer (Kerikeri High School), Matt McGregor (Kamo High School), Fraser Seymour (WBHS).

Under-18 Boys: Louie Smith (Rodney College), Patxi Scott-Arrieta (Kamo High School), Jack Treacy (WBHS).

Under-16 Girls: Robyn Turnbull (Rodney College).

Under-18 Girls: Alana Thrasyvoulou (Rodney College).