04/05/2023
For immediate release
From: Surfing New Zealand
Sport: Surfing
Event: Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro
Dates: 5-6 May 2023
Location: Makorori Beach (Redbus), Gisborne
Websites: Surfing New Zealand
Groms return to Gisborne for Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro
After a tumultuous summer of junior surfing events the countdown is on to a highlight of the season, with the New Zealand Grom Series returning to Gisborne May (5th – 6th) for the Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro.
Held at Makorori (Redbus) this grom comp is in its second season, supported by Sequence Surf Shop, Creatures of Leisure, Gisborne Boardriders and Sex Wax it adds another exciting event to the already stacked calendar for New Zealand’s junior surfers.
Conditions in May are generally ideal for Gisborne with consistent westerly (offshore) winds and groomed groundswells creating perfect conditions for the groms at Makorori Beach. However, with winter looming large south swells begin marching up the coast more frequently, the groms will need to be prepared for all conditions.
After his stellar start to 2023 young Sol Fritchley (Mount) leads the rankings in the Under14 boys and coming off back-to-back wins in the South Island Series of events he will be one to watch. Jack Higgins of Dunedin also returns to the North Island for redemption. After a slow start to the year, he found momentum in his home waters and now looks to continue that to keep his 2nd place ranking.
Zen Mouldey of Mount Maunganui also looks to use his momentum gained from the South Island leg to reach the top of the leader board, he currently sits in third position after his win in Christchurch and two third place finishes.
In the girl’s division Kyra Wallis looks forward to keeping her spot at the top of the table but will need to hold off Indi lee Ruddell (Whng) who is looking to better her second-place finish from 2022. Maddie Todd and Poppy Arkle will also be ones to watch in this hotly contested division.
With a stacked line up of surfers in the Under 16 girls’ division Leia Millar (Piha), Alani Morse (Rag) and Lola Groube (Pau) will all have their work cut out for them, as the pack of hungry talented girls sit just behind them on the leader board. Maya Mateja (Rag) enters the event in the Under 16 Girls for the first time and looks to use her experience in her win from the Under 14 Girls division here in 2022.
The hotly contested Under 16 Boys division is again at capacity with Tao Mouldey (Mount) leading the pack. He looks to continue his winning streak as Alexis Owen (Dunedin) Under 16 National Champ and fresh of his first win of the year at the Exit Surf Mens event, hopes to build on that momentum. In his way however is a stack of talent from all around the country including Theo Morse of Raglan, Tava Santorik of Papamoa, Will Hardie of Piha and Harry Prins of the Hawkes bay just to name a few.
In 2023 we again see the return of the biggest manoeuvre award, supplied by Sequence Surf Shop the groms can earn themselves $100 for putting it all on the line and going big. Airs, big hacks and radical manoeuvres will see one surfer from every division walk away $100 richer. The Volkswagen Highest Heat score award will also be given out for the highest combined heat score each day with the winner walking away with a Volkswagen prize pack.
Forecasted conditions are changing day to day however Saturday looks to have light N, then strong NE winds combined with a small S swell and a heap of ENE energy. Heading into finals day (Sunday) NE winds and large junky NE swell continue, making for challenging yet fun conditions for the groms.
The Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro is part of the wider New Zealand Grom Series which includes the Billabong Grom Series, the South Island Connect Group Grom Series and a number of other individual junior events.
Surfers from Ahipara down to Dunedin will take part on the weekend in Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 divisions with action taking place from 8am – 5pm daily.
This year’s event would not be possible without the support of Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne, Gisborne Boardriders, Creatures of Leisure, Sex Wax and Eastern & Central Community Trust (ECCT).
Further Information
For further information on the 2023 Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro, please contact Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.
Imagery
High-resolution images will be available to media upon request.
Images will be distributed free of charge courtesy of New Zealand Surfing Magazine.
Please contact Ben Kennings for further details.
Event Details
The draw and results can be viewed at www.Liveheats.com/SurfingNewZealand.
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Follow the action via social media @surfingnz across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
Surfing New Zealand is proudly partnered by:
Sport New Zealand
Water Safety NZ
Skinnies
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