Latest news with #GisborneJuniorPro
NZ Herald
06-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Morse, Walker claim U18 glory at Gisborne Junior Surf Pro on East Coast
Pardoe made the final, where he placed fourth with a best-two-waves score of 9.27. Ffeon Clifford (Mount Maunganui) won with 11.44 from London Cockerill 9.90 and Louis Macquet 9.77. 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.
NZ Herald
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
NZ's top groms set to rip in Gisborne Junior Pro surfing contest
However, Kennings said with safety at the forefront of Surfing New Zealand events, participants should be ready to travel to a more sheltered option. If that is the case, organisers still expect another successful contest with a unique flavour. 'What sets the Gisborne Junior Pro apart is its combination of grassroots community energy and professional level competition,' Kennings said. 'With local pride on the line and national rankings up for grabs, competitors will be throwing everything they've got at the judging criteria. 'And with the return of the Biggest Manoeuvre Award, the stakes are even higher for those who want to push the envelope.' The category will award $100 cash to one standout surfer from each division who goes big – whether that's a massive air, critical turn or radical combo. 'It's not just about playing it safe,' says Sequence Surf Shop owner and 2003 men's open national champion Blair Stewart. 'We want to see who's really willing to push their surfing to the next level.' The Gisborne Junior Pro will also support the next generation of local surfers through the release of a limited-edition event T-shirt. Designed by a local artist and available for purchase throughout the event, all proceeds from T-shirt sales will go towards funding the Gisborne scholastic surf team as they prepare for the national scholastics in Taranaki in October. Beyond the competition, the Gisborne Junior Pro is also a celebration of surf culture, community and the raw energy of youth.
