Morse, Walker claim U18 glory at Gisborne Junior Surf Pro on East Coast
The U14 girls showed resilience and skill in choppier conditions. Hawke's Bay's Scarlett Gray stayed composed through the bigger sets to win with 9.33 from Nami Marsden 6.00, Gisborne's Madeline Smith 3.93 and Alba Clifford 3.03. Smith won the $100 biggest manoeuvre prize.
Kyra Wallis, of Piha, opened with a powerhouse 8.33 ride in the U16 girls' division early in the day to earn the $100 biggest-manoeuvre prize. She maintained her form to win the final with 12.60 from Indi-Lee Ruddell on 6.83, Alani Morse 6.27 and Brooke Mathews 2.23.
The hotly contested U16 boys' division was won by Mount Maunganui surfer Sol Fritchley, who posted a 5.40 ride in the dying moments to lift him to 12.23 and victory from Indica Cororan on 11.77, Remy Sale 10.77 and Kentaro Mitchell 9.84.
Sale's spectacular 9.0 wave in the semis won him the biggest manoeuvre award.
As conditions became more challenging late in the day, the U18 girls rose to the occasion.
In a thrilling final, Walker's consistency earned her the title on 11.06 from Sage Fritchley 0n 9.84, Lenka Cargill 6.00 and Grace Gundry 5.90.
The U18 boys showed raw power and polished style with Christian Fougere earning the $100 biggest-manoeuvre prize for an early-morning critical closeout hack.
The final was packed with high-energy performances.
Morse claimed the title with dynamic, high-impact surfing in his 13.56 total, Tao Mouldey was a close second on 12.16, Zade Pitkeathly was third on 9.66 and Taimana Marupo fourth on 6.60.
The Gisborne Junior Pro provides young surfers with competitive experience on a national stage. It is seen as an investment in grassroots surfing, helping to foster the next generation of New Zealand champions.
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