Surfers fired up for shot at worlds

Mimiwhangata siblings Joe and Paul Moretti are keener than ever to break the big time of surfing after their experience at the 2011 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, in Peru.
At last month's event, Joe Moretti, 17, was knocked out in his repechage and placed 41st in the under-18 boys division, while 15-year-old Paul finished in 43rd spot in the boys under-16 class.
A couple of weeks later, the brothers have already taken part in a couple of club and regional contests, putting their recent experience to good use, with perhaps a slightly altered perspective on competing at elite level.
It was Joe Moretti's second time contesting the worlds, and he had the difficult job of captaining a team of individual athletes, who at times clashed. "I found the Kiwis lacked the same hunger surfers from other countries had, at times it was a challenge to really motivate the team to keep going," he said. Hundreds of competitors flooded Punta Hermosa for the championships.
"It was a bit sketchy at times, they were not perfect waves, it was a groundswell and a bit wobbly - in my two heats a lot of it came down to wave selection, and not picking the best wave - making tactical errors and just getting outhassled out there," Moretti said.
Moretti, a marine science student based in Tauranga, said he was particularly impressed with the seventh-placed Brazil team along with runners-up South Africa.
"They surfed really solid and had a strong team bond and had a lot of support which all helps," he said.
Host country Peru took out the team honours ahead of South Africa, Australia, Hawaii and the United States, while New Zealand was back in 10th place.
It was Paul Moretti's first time at the championships and the talented teen did not fire.
"We all got hit with a bit of Bali belly, but Paul was quite sick with it and run down as well. He was really disappointed with his performance and I was too ... on his day he surfs crazy and he could have won but it was his first worlds, and I think he will cope a lot better next time," Moretti said.
While they did not do as well as hoped, the siblings are more determined than ever to compete with the top echelon of surfers on the international circuit.
"It was a great experience to get overseas and compete ... what I took from the championships is that the level of surfing around the world is not that far off the level in New Zealand. About 70 per cent surf at the same level, and the other 30 per cent surf on a level that surpasses anything I've seen ... to make the team and finish in the top half of the field is a confidence booster." The experience left both brothers hungrier and inspired to improve themselves, he added.
At present Paul is studying at the Raglan Surfing Academy while Joe is based in Tauranga. The plan is to finish off their studies, and head overseas to try and crack into the elite international scene.
Later this year however, the brothers will head to Australia for a couple of sessions with a high performance coach towards the end of the year, and continue to build for next season.