From left to right Jeanie Shanks, Carol Cranch and Wayne Arthur all legends of NZ Surfing
I didn't know Carol Cranch very well. When I was getting immersed into the surf industry and community, she was exiting to Gizzy. Carol, an early childhood teacher, was hugely influential on the New Zealand surfing scene, particularly junior surfing. She was instrumental in the formation of the national scholastics in 1989. She was a two-time national women's champion and was made a life member of Surfing New Zealand in 2000. Although Carol had left Piha decades ago, we still often refer to the Cranch Ranch and Carol's Peak. Carol lost her battle with cancer on 6 February, aged 71.
The main paddle out for Carol was done in Gizzy 14 February at Northern Maccas, near her home. Last Sunday the Piha old guard [sorry guys....but well, you are!] celebrated and remembered a life well lived with a small paddle at at Carol's Peak and then a catch up at the Bowlo.
Rainbow over Carol's Peak last Sunday
The OGs!
On ya's Steve Davis and Mike Jolly for organising such a lovely send off.
Carol's Obituary in The Gizzy Herald is HERE
New Gallery Addition
There's always the search for the most perfect waves to add to the print gallery. But what's perfection, for some it's a left, others it's a right, some it's a nice 2 foot peeler others it's a lurching 30ft beast. This one may be my version of perfection, hollow, flaring, a volume of water. The light, subtle sun verse a cloudy sky. All those things and more I guess ehh. Anyway I love it and hopefully it resonates with others too; it's now available for print in the Wave Gallery HERE