What a surreal Friday. South Piha was filled to the gunnels with aspiring young international surfers practising their craft. The waves were good, very good. The tide was coming in and North Piha was starting to show form too. I knew where I was going.
First bank check 'brooo have you heard the latest? It's cancelled!' 'whaaat, nah.' 'Yeah bro the whole week is off'.
11am. The day before kick off. All the fixings in place; the massive scaffolding city, the food vendors, the Corona Bar...everything poised.
Friday; all ready to go
I did what any sane person would do. Go surf. Kind of in denial, kind of wait and see what unfolds. As the bank comes on with the tide, more crew paddle out. 'Have you heard the latest bro!- the comp is off, the whole thing- done.'
And that's how I found out.
Until this point Covid 19 had been somewhat of an abstract form. I am a news watcher, I like to feel connected. Firmly leant to the skeptical side; validation of facts, not opinion dressed as truths.
Covid 19 has reached surfing in NZ. Our biggest event in years on permanent hold. As you read this, the scaff city is being torn down. South Piha is returning to business as usual. Some of the pro's are still around, some opting to chase the East swell coming.
As we go into lock down the ASFF has also pulled pin on screening until Spring. Last night Surfing NZ officially postponed The Rip Curl Raglan Pro and word is more local surfing events and gatherings will follow suit.
It's going to be a rocky few months for us all, regardless of surfing, stay safe out there fellas.
From The Book Store
It just keeps on selling! Thank you to all of you guys that have already bought a copy of Warren's latest book, The Collection Vol II, it is seriously such a stoke to have been a part of something so successful. We still have copies available. Don't know what the hell I'm typing about... well check it out HERE