Predawn Day One, and the Bay not looking terrible at all
This week was all about the Groms. And it's a great Surfing NZ initiative; the 2 to 3 day event is for secondary school teams nationwide to have a crack at Tag team style competition. The Tag Team format means the surfers have to work as a team to progress, and there's a Plate as well as bragging rights for the Cup. It's highly inclusive and encourages strategic team thinking/building. Very much like the Boardriders Cup, which will be at Whangamata March 5, tag team events are a great for both spectators and the competing surfers . There's camaraderie, action and even drama. I wrote more about the format last year HERE
You can view this year's gallery over on the Surfing NZ FB page HERE
And here's a few of my picks from a sea hazy, bolshy couple of days at Maori Bay, bloody good times...
SNZ's main man Ben Kennings briefing the masses
The Bay shrouded in marine layer
Whangamata Area School's captain, Manu Roberts leading by example
The Taka Grammer groms
...and key Taka Grammar team member Sam Frazerhurst firing shots in in between heats
Two deadset legends...and ol' partners in crime back in the day, Izzy's James Fowell and Nick Chapman
and some legends in the making Team Kaipara College
The Mount's heavy hitter Zade Pitkeathly
Zade... ripping
Another legend giving back, Khan Butler directing traffic
Team Whanga's Lola Groube with a deadly 7.5 ride
Sev Tolhurst ...and IMO the turn of the comp
Piha's Ella Rebolledo-Withers captaining the St Dom's team
Tauranga's Tao Mouldey consistently the MVP
Did I claim Sev's man turn as the comp's best, Ash Roger's was a pretty fricken close second
And the champs second year running...Whanga Area school lads
….AND DEEEEEEN….
Life is not all about comps though...oh wait this is kind of a comp result too... Rambo's cover shot image just secured Surfing Life's Photo Of The Year award!
How good aye, not that either of us needed vindication of the cover choice, it felt like such a no brainer to me as the publisher. I'm just so stoked for Rambo to get the accolade.
What, you haven't got Unbound Vol 1 yet, you have no idea what I'm talking about? Ok, Ok, the link to the book and info is HERE