Surfing world eyes New Zealand waves
20 Jan 2010
Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Champs, Auckland
20 - 28 January 2010
New Zealand has become the centre of the surfing world with the official opening of the 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships at Piha beach on Auckland’s west coast.
The biggest international surfing tournament for under-18 surfers has attracted representatives from 21 countries. The event was officially opened today and competition gets underway tomorrow (21.01.10).
International competitors and the New Zealand team have had only two days to familiarise themselves with the tricky local conditions at Piha - notorious for its quirks from banks at each end of the rugged beach.
Elite junior surfers
Some of the world's elite junior surfers including New Zealand hopeful Sarah Mason, newly-crowned World Pro Junior Champion (under-20) Maxime Huscenot (France) and reigning ISA Under-16 gold medallist Keanu Asing (Hawaii) are lining up for the event.
It's the first time the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship has been held in Oceania, and ISA president Fernando Aguerre said it was exciting to be in New Zealand.
"I'm very happy to be here," said Aguerre. "It's our first time running an event in New Zealand. I've heard a lot about the waves, its people and the culture, so we're very excited to hold this event at Auckland's Piha beach.
"Our events are known as the Olympics of surfing, athletes don't come here to win money, they do it for the honour of representing their countries. Enjoying great days with kids from all over the world is what makes this event so special. We bring the surfing tribe spirit to New Zealand and upon departure, we will leave as New Zealand's new ambassadors."
Participating countries
Twenty-one countries have confirmed their involvement including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Hawaii, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Tahiti, USA, and Vanuatu.
Inaugurated in 2003, the eighth edition of the World Junior Surfing Championships was officially opened at Mission Bay, on Auckland’s waterfront, with the traditional parade of nations and sands of the world ceremony.
Maxime Huscenot
Maxime Huscenot (France), who claimed his first ASP World Junior Title in Australia recently, will be looking to this championship for his second world title in less than a month.
Huscenot said his win in Sydney was a major confidence boost heading into this event: "I just hope I can keep my form into this event. I really love surfing in the ISA events. You don't feel like you’re surfing for yourself. You're a part of a team as well. That's what I like."
New Zealand ace Sarah Mason will be the host country's main hope of a world title.
Despite living on Australia's Gold Coast, Mason will be representing her native country for the first time but the 14-year old said she didn't feel pressure to do well.
"There's always extra pressure to do well at home, but I'm not feeling it. Hopefully I'll do well along with the team," Mason said.
New Zealand team
Twelve of New Zealand's best under-18 surfers assembled in camp on Sunday night, hitting the surf for the first time on Tuesday morning - leaving them just two days to prepare for the event.
Over the course of the week-long competition, the surfers will compete on any one of two banks at the beach. The first platform has been set up at the south end of the beach, while the second competition area is on the northern side of Lion Rock.
New Zealand coach Larry Davis said ensuring the young competitors are comfortable with the conditions will be key to their success.
International arrivals
Many international competitors also received their first taste of the Piha surf this week, and the beach has been busy with team arrivals.
Hawaii's Keanu Asing, who won the under-16 division at the 2009 World Championships in Ecuador and is looking to become the first to score the double by winning the older age-grade this year, said the conditions were mellower than expected.
"This morning was my first time I surfed Piha beach, the surf was a little bit small but it was contestable," said Asing. "So it's a new challenge for me in many ways and I'm really excited."
While the surf had been fairly subdued, New Zealand team manager James Fowell said the swells were expected to pick up and provide some spectacular action on the opening days.
"It could get pretty nasty, the swell is expected to pick up, but that could be really good for us. All our kids can handle that sort of stuff," Fowell said.
New Zealand environment
It is the first time an event of this magnitude has been staged in Australasia in 25 years, and NZ Surfing chief Greg Townsend said it was a good opportunity for New Zealand.
"It's fantastic for Auckland and for surfing in New Zealand. We're excited to be given this huge opportunity to showcase our culture and beautiful environment to the world while at the same time giving New Zealanders a taste of the very best the sport of surfing can deliver," Townsend said.
The World Junior Surfing Championship will run until 28 January.
More information:
NZ surfer: Paige Hareb
Discover Auckland’s west coast
New Zealand hosts wave of surfing events
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| Lion Rock on Piha beach, west Auckland |
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