Seymour too classy at first event of surfing series


IN CONTROL: Whangarei Boys High School’s talented Fraser Seymour cuts his way through the water on his way to the premier Under 18 Boys division win. -PHOTO/Jason Ruddell

From Tony Baker

Whangarei Boys High surfer Fraser Seymour was the stand out surfer at the first event of the 2013 Northland Scholastic Surfing Series held at Ocean Beach on April 12. 

The event ran in contestable 0.5-1.0m waves which suited Seymour down to the ground. With over 50 entries from schools around the North there was some excellent surfing. 

It was evident that Seymour and other surfers such as Joe Palmer (Kerikeri High School), Matt McGregor (Kamo High School) and Ryan Renall (Rodney College) had been hard in training over the summer.

The first event saw the most girls entries received in an event since the series started in 2010. 

In the Under 14 Girls it was local Ocean Beach surfer Grace Pevats (WHGS) taking out her division, Toni Mekkelholt (Kaitaia College) taking out the Under 16 Girls and Hannah Leaming (WGHS) winning the Under 18 Girls. 

In the Under 14 Boys Jamahl Moselon (WBHS) dominated his opponents winning the division comfortably. 

In the Under 16 Boys a noted absence of Sandy Bay surfer and 2012 Under 14 National Scholastic Champion Manu Scott-Arietta (WBHS) left the door wider open for his counterparts and it was Mangawhai Heads surfer Ryan Renall (Rodney College) who cleaned up the division. 

With over 30 entries in the division, there were some close battles.

In the final Renall was unstoppable winning comfortably ahead of local surfer Dylan Cook (WBHS) in second. 

The premier division in the event was the Under 18 Boys. 

With a field of 16 surfers, the maturity and experience shone through and as the old saying goes, the cream rises to the top, and it was evident this was the case. 

Joe Palmer (Kerikeri High School) was a stand out along with local favourite Zane Hicks (WBHS) and Matt McGregor (Kamo High School). 

However, it was talented natural footer Fraser Seymour (WBHS) who showed his class dominating every encounter he had in the water. 

His surfing has matured over the past six months since competing at the 2012 Nationals Scholastics in Taranaki and the conditions at Ocean Beach were perfect for him to unleash his repertoire. 

Seymour took out the division ahead of Palmer in with Rhys Whitaker (Bream Bay College) third.

Event two of the series is scheduled for May 17.