Free Naki

Fun As Stent

The dust has barely settled from an incredible fortnight in Taranaki. I was there to cover the 7 day long 2025 Surfing NZ Nationals. This was a special one for me as written about in THIS POST my first ever Nationals being in Taranaki 1995, 30 years ago. But what about the free surfing before, during and after the heats, rounds and divisions. Here are some of my favourite images sans contest rashies….

Piha’s Sev Tolhurst loving the good left bank at Back Beach

oosshh Taranaki’s very own Tommy Butland absolutely halving a poor back Beach right

how’s that water movement

….so good

Kanaiya Webb showed up early to get away from the Coromandel mill pond

… as did Mount gremmie Remmy Sale

Local legend Hamish Bowling, if he and Tommy are out, you’re in the right place

Tao Mouldey showing the form that would later secure him the 2025 Junior Title

Tommy! After 2 weeks in the Naki, it could’ve been a post just on him

Or this guy Spencer Rowson

Burleigh Heads based Kiwi Rico Haybittle

Yeah Dawson Tamati! Love your mahi boss

Soon to be crowned, our 2025 Queen, Ava Henderson

Whangamata up and comer Ash Rogers

Raglan’s Alani Morse popping airs every session

Kalani Louis, hosted a massive crew for the Nat’s… young bloody ledge

The Nationals were fortunate to be allowed multiple days at Stent Road

Lilly Bowery loving being back in NZ with her bloke EPR

Soory boss, I failed to get your name, but you were ripping

and I did get this guy’s name, had big chats about Troopys, extra cabs …and promptly forgot

2023 National Champ Dune Kennings didn’t walk away with the result expected, starved for waves in his open semi

Andy Tolhurst, taking some time off from being Sev’s ubber driver

Dan Farr, the 2024 reigning champ, on home soil was the super to beat…and as sucky as it was for him, Lexi Owen did in a red hot final

Dune

Elliot Paerata Reid, gotta say, pretty cool when you have 4 former National champs out in front of your lens

Dan Farr, variety and speed

Bloody awesome to see Will Hardie back at 100% after a niggly back injury

Dune… check the technique

Sevvy prior to being escorted to the Westport Grom Comp

Queen of the coast, Paige Hareb

Ben Fougere throwing and sliding

Your U18 2024 Campion, Leia Millar

And what about all the images in Rashies??? Well you can view those on the Surfing New Zealand Facebook page HERE There’s over 300 images

Ahhh the serenity - thank you Stent and thank you to all the locals and residents that shared the love

I got interviewed on Radio New Zealand at the Nationals too, the article is HERE