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Day Five
10.40am...Ground hog day...well almost
anyway. We are back at Stent, the surf is same, the sun is out but the
wind has picked up since this morning and is starting to cut into the face
of the waves - southeast wind.
We are holed up in the tent with the wind blowing
straight in. A full day of surfing is scheduled here at Stent but we have
scouts out on the road sussing out the lefts to see if there is a better
option. The wind is only forecast to increase!!!!
The Over 35s were up first followed by the 40s. The Hyundai Open Women
have just made an entry into the water for the first time at the event.
The conditions are far from perfect but they are making a fist of it.
Yesterday was a huge day. Maz was surfing so smooth and powerful it blew
everyone away. Simon Deken continued his bullshit surfing as well. There
were a number of groms that exceeded expectations also. They eliminated a
lot of the older more established surfers and sent them packing to Butlers
Bar and Cafe in Oakura for the night. It was good to see though and it
shows that the number of junior events held in New Zealand is having a
major impact on the young talent pool coming through. Guys like Billy
Stairmand, Rangi Ormond, Ryan Hawker, Paco Divers, Buck Woods, Keone
Campbell and the like all surprised a lot of people with the performances.
There are four days to go including today. Heat wise we are over half way
through and this should allow us to play around with the best conditions
as the swell starts to fade on Thursday/Friday.
News from abroad this morning is that Mihi Wells has just won the World
Amateur Bodyboard Title in Hawaii. She defended her title in 6-10ft surf
at Pipeline. Congrats Mihi. We have also had unofficial word that Kelvin
Weir has won the junior division of the World Kneeboard Championships with
Josh Hadfield coming second. Congrats lads.
11.17am... Call has been made to move to Graveyards. The wind is cutting up ugly at Stent and the word on the street is that the lefts are fun. We will be moving after the end of the first round in the womens. Wini Paul just won the first heat over Kara Stehenson. Daisy Thomas just blew up in the second heat obliterating the others with scores of 7.75 and 7.0.
4.18pm... The
was completed smoothly and while we get buffeted by the wind here it is
cross offshore in the right direction meaning smooth faces on the
lefthanders. Pick the right one here and you are going to be a winner.
The Breakers under 18 boys finalists have been found with Billy
Stairmand and Paco Divers getting through the first semi and Tim
O'Conner and Sean Peggs progressing through in the second.
Sandy Bay surfer Paco Divers pic courtesy NZ Surfing Mags
The Hyundai Open Men are out there now. Ricardo blew up in the first heat punting airs into the wind on the rights then annihilating the lefts. The kid has a huge future. Leon Santorik also snuck through to the semis 0.10 ahead of Rangi Ormond. The change to the lefts was obviously to Zennor Wernham's liking coming from Raglan and he wasted no time in opening up his account with a 9.0 point ride. Backed up by a 7 it was enough to pip Maz for first, the two surfers eliminating local surfers Keone Campbell and Jason Lellman.
Raglan surfer Leon Santorik pic courtesy
NZ Surfing Mags
