Kiwis name ISA World Junior Champs team

Surfing New Zealand Updates

New Zealand Junior Surfing Squad Named On Back Of Scholastic Champs

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 9 October, 2012 : - - Surfing New Zealand has announced an extended squad of 35 surfers in preparation for the 2012 ISA World Surfing Championship which takes place in Nicaragua in July 2013. The squad includes surfers from eight regions throughout New Zealand with 23 boys and 12 girls being named.

"We have chosen a very young squad of surfers with a lot of surfers in the Under 16 Boys Division coming through" commented Surfing New Zealand Selector Lee Ryan. "We are really keen to have a look at these groms some more and have them surf multiple heats against each other in a training camp environment to see how they respond" Ryan added.

There were a few stand-out surfers at the National Scholastic Champs held at Fitzroy Beach, New Plymouth last week that the selectors have also included in the squad and want to take another look at.

The Bay of Plenty Team who reclaimed the National Scholastic Champs teams title had several members named in the squad including new comers such as Kayden Mayes and Luca Cressy. The region also had the likes of Kea Smith and Kehu Butler named in the squad, two young surfers that were too young to compete at the Scholastic Champs but continue to impress in other events.

The extended build up to the international event allows team management and selectors to assess the surfers a number of times in camps and during national competition over the next seven months before the travelling team is announced on the 23rd of April. "The first training camp will focus on technique and head-to-head match ups and once the squad is reduced, more attention will be directed toward heat strategy and the fitness level of each surfer" Ryan said.

The squad will be reduced to 24 surfers after the National Championships take place in January. The first training camp dates are as follows with more to be scheduled in 2013 once the events calendar has been finalised.

3rd November - Under 18s Training Camp, Piha
4th November - Under 16s Training Camp, Piha

In 2013 the girls will be split into two divisions for the first time at the World Junior Championships with two girls in the Under 18 Division and two girls in the Under 16 Division. In the build-up to the naming of the team, all squad members will have a full summer of events to attend as well as key squad training dates. The 2012 management team has been reappointed for the 2013 campaign giving the team a head start with planning and team development.

The New Zealand Junior Surfing Squad is as follows:

Under 18 Boys
Adam Grimson (Gis)
Dune Kennings (WGM)
Elliot Paerata-Reid (Piha)
Jordan Griffin (Mnt)
Josh Taylor (Mnt)
Jules Craft (Gis)
Levi Stewart (Waihi Beach)
Luca Cressy (Mnt)
Mackenzie Christie (Mnt)
McKenzie Bowden (WGM)
Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata)
Sean Kettle (Tara)
Waretini Wano (Piha)

Under 18 Girls
Bianca Sansom (Auck)
Ella Williams (WGM)
Gabriella Sansom (Auck)
Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis)
Sarah Mason (Gis)

Under 16 Boys
Daniel Farr (Tara)
Harrison Whiteside (Christchurch)
Isaac Kettle (Tara)
Joshua Farr (Tara)
Kaya Horne (Mnt)
Kehu Butler (Mnt)
Korbin Hutchings (Gis)
Manu Scott Arietta (Sandy Bay)
Taine Craig Ranga (Waihi Beach)
Tane Bowden (WGM)

Under 16 Girls
Abby Falwasser-Logan (Gis)
Britt Kindred (Muriwai)
Claudia Fraser (Piha)
Dayna Story (Gis)
Jasmine Smith (Gis)
Kea Smith (Mnt)
Milly Crewe (Muriwai)

Team Manager: Tony Baker (Mangawhai)
Team Coach: Jason Ruddell (Whangarei)
Team Assistant Manager/Coach: Warren Asplin (Hamilton)

The World Junior Surfing Championships is an annual event having been held since 2003. New Zealand has competed at the event since its inception as well as competing at the World Grommet Titles as it was formerly known since 1989. New Zealand has been one of the top nations at each event with Jay Quinn (Gis) securing New Zealand's first World Championship in the Under 18 Men's division in 2001. In 2012 the New Zealand team placed tenth at the event when it was held in Panama.

Prior to the main event the team will meet South Africa to contest the annually run 'SANZ' Trophy held between the two teams. South Africa currently holds the trophy after winning it in tight battle in Panama. The two teams will fine tune their competitive strategies only days out from the main event. The unique trophy that is up for grabs is made out of a solid pounamu base with paua inlay and a surfboard made out of South African hardwood.

www.surfingnz.co.nz

Source: Surfing New Zealand

Author: Ben Kennings

Tags: ISA, World Junior Surfing Champs, New Zealand

Team: Surfersvillage