Surfing: Hareb leads NZ charge

Paige Hareb. Photo / Steve Robertson (ASP)

New Zealand will send an eight-strong team to the World Surfing Games in Panama.

A relatively inexperienced line-up is spearheaded by Taranaki's Paige Hareb, the world No 12 and this country's most successful female surfer who finished second at the Games last year.

Three members of the team - Ben Poulter, Tane Wallis and Grace Spiers - are currently in Peru contesting the junior world championships.

The New Zealand team finished seventh among 31 nations last year, the highest ranking attained by them in a decade.

New Zealand team for the Games starting on June 25:-
Open men: Ben Poulter (Raglan), JC Susan (Mt Maunganui), Tane Wallis (Piha), Zen Wallis (Piha).
Open women: Grace Spiers (Whangamata), Paige Hareb (Taranaki).
Men's longboard: Phil Morris (Auckland), Matt Cockayne (Auckland).

- NZPA