The plan is to shoot surfing forever. When I can't walk down the beach, I'll have a mobility scooter with a tripod mount, sand tyres and a chillibin on the back. Bloody hell, I want that now! The point is there's an enduring passion for capturing that critical millisecond.
Linden Kennings, Dune's dad...not quite a mobility scooter...but not far off! On his new 50cc Chinese beach hack. As always, ahead of the curve aye Diddy!
Don't ask how fun it is at the end of the last day of a comp. Even so, getting the shots, fulfilling the brief and delivery, being in the mix is a rush. Endurance has its rewards too, 30 years into this lark, I'm shooting the sons and daughters of the surfers I started shooting.
Last weekend was the round up event of the Surfing New Zealand 2021 Contest season. The Super 16, held here at Piha. It's a quick fire, sort of grand slam styled event. As the name indicates; the top 16 rated surfers of the season have one last go at clutching valuable points.
But this isn't a contest round up, you can read that on the SNZ website HERE.
Nah, it was clear Sunday morning there was going to be a great free surf session go down before heats started. And just like the finely tuned aforementioned athletes, I was shoreside for the early. And these are my pictures....
Dawn banter with Larry Fisher, Levi Stewart, Sean Peggs and Dean Hishon
Which one is better? Taranaki's Daniel Farr, proper upside down
NZ's first Olympian surfer, Billy Stairmand was a shock semi final dismissal
Pablo Moretti flaring into the flats
Good to see you too Pablo!
Sean Peggs, current NZ Senior Champ getting the back trucks over the coping
...and wisely ejecting
Sorry Tom Emmerson! Couldn't not share bro :)
Dune post warm up
Dune, and the sort of move that will win you contests...oh wait.. it did!
Zania Hutchieson in the southern corner where the Bar sometimes is
About the best wave the Bar has to offer currently
The Naki's Natasha Gouldsbury warming up
Keyhole out in force to support the champ Dune Kennings... things got rowdy!
Pablo found the loopy ones pre heats
and during found the connectors
Whitianga's Jay Piper-Healion... just like Buffalo Beach aye
Christchurch's Ava Henderson was laid low with a gastric bug on Friday night, didn't stop her from clinching the Circuit Championship
Oakura's Ariana Shewry
Ella Williams took out the Women's division with two text book backhand rides
Levi Stewart was in fine form
The local hero, our boy! Dune dominated from the outset of the day, he rolled through his heats smoothly, knowing what waves he was looking for
Chaired up the beach by his best mates, Kai, Dion and EPR, doesn't get much better than that. How good is Jemarl's phone shot!
From The Waves Gallery
Sure wasn't quite the weekend or now for that matter, Piha Bar in fine vintage form. You like? You can view it bigger and even buy it HERE