Kiwi teenager Sarah Mason is rated as one of the most exciting young talents in the sport. This weekend she's showing the world why
The future stars who in years to come will dominate the world surfing circuit are this weekend showing their potential at Piha.
The World Junior Surf Champs, which got under way in Piha yesterday and runs through to next Thursday, brings together the best under-18 surfers from around the globe.
Surfing legend Martin Potter, who is in the country as a representative for main sponsors Quiksilver, has been impressed with some of the talent on display in the early stages of the competition.
He believes it will only be a matter of time before some of the stand-out youngsters will be plying their trade on the world pro circuits.
"The talent here this week is absolutely world class," the 1989 world champion said.
"These kids are starting off young and are groomed at a very early age to become a professional sport rather than just surfing. This is a perfect platform for them. They've got coaches, they've got trainers, they've got dietitians and physiotherapists. So when the time comes for them to turn pro, they've already got that backing."
Several international competitors in Piha this week are already making big waves overseas.
Frenchman Maxime Huscenot heads a strong boys under-18 field that includes a number of medallists from last year's world champs.
Huscenot has already proven himself as a world beater, coming to the event after claiming his maiden ASP world title in Australia last weekend.
Huscenot said his win in Sydney was a major confidence boost heading into this event.
"It's been a big week for me," he said.
"I just hope I can keep my form into this event. I really love surfing in the ISA events. You don't feel like you're surfing for yourself. You're a part of a team as well. That's what I like."
At last week's showdown at North Narrabeen in Sydney, Huscenot bested a bevy of the world's hottest up-and-coming surfers proving himself as a force on the world surfing stage.
Also tipped as a strong contender this week is Hawaii's Keanu Asing, who won the under-16 category in Ecuador last year. Asing is bidding to become the first surfer to win both age-grades in consecutive years.
In the girls' field, which is run as an open event, defending champion Tyler Wright of Australia is a clear favourite. At just 14-year- old, Wright made history becoming the youngest-ever winner of an ASP World Tour Event at the Beachley Classic in 2008, and has been turning heads ever since.
But it is New Zealand's own Sarah Mason, who is competing in her first World Champs, who has the pundits most excited.
The tiny teen, who grew up in Gisborne but moved to Australia with her family five years ago, has never beaten Wright in their previous meetings, but many believe this could be the week Mason finally gets one over on her older rival.
Potter said 14-year-old Mason is one of the most exciting young talents he has ever seen.
"I've watched Sarah surf since she was 11-years-old in the Roxy Jams in Phillip Island, and I was saying to her before, all she has to do is stand up and she can win. She's an amazing talent, and probably one of the best girl surfers on the planet," he said.
New Zealand assistant coach and team manager James Fowell said while he didn't want to put too much pressure on Mason, he believes she is more than capable of taking out the women's field.
"That kid is something special. She's an absolute natural and she's a great competitor," he said.
"She's very quiet and unassuming, but at the same time she's very meticulous, knows exactly what she has to do out there."
Fowell also rates the chances of Alex Dive and Johnny Hicks in the boys' under-18 field, while local lad Tane Wallis is tipped as one to watch in the under-16 category.
"They've got mad skills and I know they can do really well."
As well as battling it out for individual titles, surfers are also competing for their country, with medals awarded at the end of the event based on points accrued over the week. The defending champion Australian team are once again the favourites to take out the overall title, having won five of the past seven editions of the event.
New Zealand placed seventh at the last event in Ecuador, but Fowell believes the team is capable of a top-three finish in their home event.
"To have a medal at the end of this eight-day campaign would be awesome, so we're definitely aiming for a podium finish," he said.
NEW ZEALAND TEAM
Under-18 Boys
* Alex Dive (Mt Maunganui)
* JC Susan (Mt Maunganui)
* Damien Norman (NSW, Australia)
* Johnny Hicks (Gisborne)
Under-18 Girls
* Alexis Poulter (Raglan)
* Grace Spiers (Gisborne)
* Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gisborne)
* Sarah Mason (Queensland, Australia)
Under-16 Boys
* Adam Grimson (Gisborne)
* Ben Poulter (Raglan)
* Elliot Paerata-Reid (Piha)
* Tane Wallis (Piha)
