Dream ride for NZ teen surfers
15 Apr 2010
Kiwi teenagers Paige Hareb and Sarah Mason have created New Zealand surfing history with commanding performances at the Dream Tour women’s surfing event underway in Taranaki, in the North Island.
Both surfers blitzed their more experienced opposition in this morning’s elimination rounds, setting themselves up for an all-Kiwi quarterfinal.
It is the first time New Zealand has ever had two competitors in the last eight of a world championship 'Dream Tour' event.
The quarterfinals will feature two New Zealanders, two Australians, two Hawaiians and two South Americans.
Sensational Mason
Fifteen-year-old wildcard Mason caused a sensation as she knocked out triple world champion Stephanie Gilmore - the first time Gilmore had been beaten on the 2010 Dream Tour.
Meanwhile Hareb - a Taranaki local when she’s not away surfing the world - disposed of Australian Rebecca Woods, in the third heat of the morning.
The competitions took place in tricky conditions at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Beach.
''It's so good to see the New Zealand flag alongside two names,'' said Hareb, 19, who broke through last year to become the first Kiwi woman to qualify for the elite Dream Tour.
Massive crowd support
Crowd support had been a massive boost throughout the heat, Mason said.
"Just hearing the cheering, I've never really heard that before. It's really cool," Mason said.
"I'm buzzing right now. I couldn't really believe it could happen at the end of the heat. I was just waiting for a wave to come out there and get the score I needed. I've got heaps of confidence now going into the last heat."
New Zealand first
It is the first time the Women’s World Tour event has been held in New Zealand and Paige Hareb’s father Mike was behind Taranaki being included on the world circuit.
Surfers from all over the world, including Australian, Hawaii, France, South America and South Africa are in New Zealand to compete.
The event is part of the TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival which is being held at Fitzroy Beach from 1- 16 April.
More information:
Kiwi surfer Paige Hareb
NZ hosts wave of key surfing events
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