Perfect conditions a bonus for surf series

Rodney College surfers feature in surf series finals. Near perfect waves were on offer for the second event of the 2013 Northland Scholastic Surfing Series event held at Baylys Beach on May 17, and 1.0-1.5m waves feathered by a moderate offshore North east breeze made for an ideal day of surfing.

With 66 entrants from schools across the region it was an excellent day of surfing all round.

The Girls Divisions continue to grow in 2013 with 19 girls entered across the three age groups, a record turn-out.

Stand-out surfers were Grace Pevats (Huanui College, U14 Girls), Billie Scott (Whangarei Girls High, U14) and Rhiannnon Fyfe (Whangarei Girls High, U16).

In the Under 14 Girls Pevats was a dominant force from start to finish, picking off some excellent left-handers winning the division ahead of Scott in second position. Nyena Weeds (Kerikeri HS) placed 3rd and Julia Moyle (Kerikeri HS) took out 4th position.

Also seeing growth is the Under 14 Boys Division with the addition of Ahipara shredder Kalani Hansen (Kaitaia College) fronting up to his first Scholastics event and making a good impression. Hansen dominated both his semi-final and final winning both comfortably.

Another stand-out was fellow Ahipara goofy footer Callum Mekkelholt (Kaitaia College) who placed 2nd ahead of Jamahl Moselen (WBHS) in 3rd, and Quinn Bedford (Rodney College) in 4th.

In the Under 16 Girls it was Rhiannon Fyfe (WGHS) who took the division out with style. Fyfe showed good wave selection and dominated her opponents in the final.
Tasha Burton (Kerikeri HS) also had a great final placing second ahead of Laura Lee (Kerikeri HS) in 3rd, and Megan Vercoe (Bream Bay College) in 4th position.

The largest field was the Under 16 Boys with 25 entries. NSSS1 winner Ryan Renall (Rodney College) dominated all of his heats in the early rounds. Other stand-outs included Dyaln Cooke (WBHS), Hamish Palmer (Kerikeri HS) and Kye Bedford (WBHS).

But the star of the show was 2012 Under 14 National Scholastic Champion Manu Scott-Arrieta (WBHS). Scott-Arrieta smashed every wave that came his way and the great conditions suited his progressive style. In the final Scott-Arrieta left his charge late picking off two good scoring rides to win comfortably.

Nipping at his heals was Ryan Renall (Rodney College) placing 2nd ahead of Sergio Hansen (Kaitaia College) and Matt Jensen (Bream Bay College) in 3rd and 4th respectively.

The Under 18 Girls enjoyed the high tide waves later in the day with a close 3-way battle for first. However, it was Alex McKenzie (WGHS) winning ahead of fellow team mates Paige Ameson and Alice Gioransson who shared second equal.

In the Under 18 Boys Division there were a couple of early upsets, namely Zane Hicks (WBHS) and Joe Palmer (Kerikeri HS) both making early exits in the semi-finals. Hicks was on fire all day in the free surfing sessions but couldn't put it together in his semi-final heat, getting knocked out on a paddling interference. Palmer, another excellent surfer who was shining all day in the perfect beach break waves, got lost at sea in his semi-final when, only needing a low score to progress, the ocean went flat.

In the final Rhys Whitaker (Bream Bay College) got busy early picking off a good-sized left-hander to get started. Matt McGregor (Kamo HS) absolutely destroyed a long left-hander scoring highly with the judges.

But it was NSSS1 winner Fraser Seymour (WBHS) who showed superior wave selection in the final picking off two long right-handers and surfing them all the way to the beach. Seymour took out the final ahead of McGregor in 2nd, Whitaker in 3rd and Mitch McRae (Rodney College) in 4th place.

NSSS3 is scheduled for early term three.