Cyclone Donna serves up stormy surf

Solid 2-3 metre waves greeted surfers at the second event of the Northland Secondary School’s Scholastic Surfing Series on May 12. With 57 entries from across the region the second event was scheduled to run at Sandy Bay. However, due to Cyclone Donna, conditions were unfavourable and the event was relocated to Woolley’s Bay.

The event was split into two podiums side-by-side and the usual standout surfers managed to come through with the results with some real commitment in the challenging conditions. This was especially evident in the Under 16 Boys Division with many surfers trying to hunt out barrels in the heaving beach break conditions.

Due to the cyclonic conditions, the weather was changeable with winds finally swinging offshore about 9.30am and getting very strong at times with the odd rain squall.

The event only saw 11 girls competing, down on previous years with five girls competing in the Under 14 Division and three in each of Under 16 and Under 18 Divisions.

Stand-out performers included most of the 2016 Northland team with most reaching their respective finals.

Results

U14 Boys 1 Thomas Robinson (WBHS); 2 Jake Buckle (Huanui); 3 Taj Broughton (Kaitaia College); 4 Elijah Backhouse (Bream Bay).

U16 Boys 1 Max Brunker (WBHS); 2 Tom Parker (Huanui); 3 Bassie Waldron (Rodney College); 4 Billy Gilbert (WBHS).

U18 Boys 1 Tom Norton (Bream Bay); 2 Kalani Hansen (Kaitaia College); 3 Nubby Critchfield (Rodney college); 4 Tye Mathews (WBHS).

U14 Girls 1 Ely Backhouse (Bream Bay); 2 Kayla Carter (Bream Bay); 3 Arlia Gray (WGHS); 4 Paige Ihaka (WGHS).

U16 Girls 1 Grace Pevats (WGHS); 2 Brydie Harrison (Kaitaia College); 3 Laura Lamouric (Kaitaia College).

U18 Girls 1 Billie Scott (WGHS); 2= Lucy Hale (Kaitaia College); 2= Ceili Lea (Bream Bay)

OFF-SHORE: Bream Bay’s Tom Norton on his way to the Under 18 Boys Division win. PHOTO/WAYNE HARRISON/KAITAIA COLLEGE