The biggest turnout ever by students representing schools across the province in this year's Northland Scholastic Surfing Series left organisers in no doubt the sport was currently enjoying a massive surge in interest.
The day's undisputed standout was Zane Hicks from Whangarei Boys' High who delivered an accomplished display of power surfing in the solid 1.5m waves to claim the underi18 boys title. Hailing from Ocean Beach, Hicks completely dominated his division, noted contest director organiser Tony Baker.
"Hicks surfed with power and style and left no doubt in the judges' minds that he means business in 2014," said Baker, adding the under-18 division saw the biggest and most competitive field on the day with over 30 entries.
The opening leg of the series also reported the largest field of entrants in the event's history, nearly 90 surfers competing from 10 schools including Kaitaia College, Kerikeri High School and Bay of Islands College from the Far North; along with Kamo High, Whangarei Boys' and Girls', and Pompellier, Huanui, Bream Bay and Rodney colleges.
Baker noted this turnout was due reward for the efforts by an extended group of enthusiasts who have worked hard over the past five years to get surfing recognised in schools as a legitimate sport. He suggested the massive surge of interest in this year's event was due to various schools delivering surfing as part of their co-curricular and educational programmes.
"The teacher in charge of surfing at Whangarei Girls' High School, Dave Beazley, said he had over 30 girls take part in a recent training day he ran along the Whananaki Coast, an indication of just how popular the sport has become. Northland has produced a number of New Zealand representatives over the years so there are definitely development opportunities and pathways in surfing," Baker said.
Thanks went to the Northcoast Boardriders Club for supporting this event, and all the parents and surfers who assisted with judging on the day.
Results from leg 1 of the 2014 NSSS at Sandy Bay on Friday, April 4: U14, girls: Grace Pevats (Huanui College) 1, Devon Ashcroft (WGHS) 2, Nyeena Weeds (Keri High) 3, Natalie Newbold (WGHS) 4, Kate Moyle (Keri High) 5; boys: Luca Mase (Pompellier College) 1, Joseph Critchfield (Rodney College) 2, Josh Adams-Robson (WBHS) 3, Jacob Hayes (WBHS) 4. U16, girls: Rhiannon Fyfe (WGHS) 1, Emily Brunker (WGHS) 2, Julia Moyle (Keri High) 3, Billie Scott (WGHS) 4; boys: Kalani Hansen (Kaitaia College) 1, Kohl Mase (Pompellier) 2, Callum Mekkelholt (Kaitaia) 3, Spencer Harrison (Kaitaia) 4. U18, girls: Megan Vervcoe (Bream Bay College) 1, Annaree Peters (Bream Bay) 2; boys: Zane Hicks (WBHS) 1, Matt Jensen (Bream Bay) 2, Sergio Hansen (Kaitaia) 3, Kye Bedford (WBHS) 4. The Northland Scholastics Surfing Series is an independently run series administered and facilitated by volunteers and a handful of schools. The next event of the series is scheduled for Term 2. At the completion of the series a Northland team will be selected to compete at the 2014 Surfing New Zealand National Scholastics Surfing Championships in Taranaki from September 29 to October 3.