It has been a busy ol' week, competitions, good waves and big editorials.
Local Lad Bill Byers chaired up after his comp win and U14 2019 Billabong Grom Series overall title
Bill making buckets
Fellow Piharian Gabby Paul on her way to claiming the 2019 Billabong Grom U18 Girls Series title
Raglan's Caleb Cutmore outshone the field taking out the U18 win and overall series.
It was a wild and wooly day for the last stop of the tri series Billabong Groms this year. The two day comp was compressed into one day because of the bad weather and big swell predicted for Sunday. Two arenas were held, which for a photographer, makes for gnarly shooting. You have to place yourself between the two arenas and work your peripheral vision. I like it, keeps you on your toes. For the full gallery of the images I shot [which is 33% of the A's] Check out Surfing NZ's FB page HERE
Did you pick up in the big swell call? Course that means one thing for Monday right?
Hectic paddle outs at Indies and good catch ups with mates
Luke Darby and I day tripped down for a rad day, here's Luke's quick cut...
Just Yesterday The NZ Surf Journal released their Top Ten
I love these things because they inherently cannot be right. They are highly contentious at the best of times. My call would be, anyone would say the surfers making the rank deserve to be there, but what about such and such and so and so???? I was part of the jury, and I got quoted quite a bit... oh crap! Hahaha guess I have to stand by my words now :)
Check it out, it's a great read HERE
And Dennn......
The 2019 Aotearoa Surf Film Festival is ON! Check the dates in your region HERE
As one of the founding Judges of the ASFF I'll let you in on a lil secret, this year's feature films are bangers! I reckon the strongest selections in the ASFF's 5 years of running.
The NZ Short films, well... the creator of the ASFF Nick Stevenson's key driver is to support and nurture surf young filmers, give them a goal and in fact pretty darn good prizes. This year pickings were quite thin, the cream did rise to the top and what you'll see at showtime is good stuff. But moving forward; If you're a passionate filmer, here's your chance to get some recognition and support. Start shooting for next year now!
From The Galleries
International award winning goodness! This moody wonderment is heading to Oregon as a 2000mm wide canvas this week. Pretty darn stoked, actually it gets me frothing to make more Piha panos, love the coast!
You can check Piha Storm out in more detail HERE