For immediate release
From: Surfing New Zealand
Sport: Surfing
Event: Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro
Dates: 3-4 May 2025
Location: Kaiaua, East Cape Gisborne
Websites: Surfing New Zealand
Groms Rise to the Occasion at Kaiaua Bay for the 2025 Gisborne Junior Pro
What started as a weather-challenged morning turned into a thrilling opening day at the 2025 Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro. With a fierce winter storm system wreaking havoc further south and the Gisborne coastline serving up unsafe surf conditions at the city beaches, the team made the call to move the event north to Kaiaua Bay on the East Cape. The one-hour trek proved more than worthwhile, as competitors were greeted with clean 3–4 foot waves, stunning coastal scenery, and an atmosphere brimming with grassroots energy and elite-level talent.
The event began with a powerful karakia led by respected local surfer Kereama Blackman, setting a culturally grounded tone that resonated with the tight-knit surf community in attendance. As the morning drizzle gave way to sunshine, the waves began pulsing across the lower tide, delivering long, hollow sections that proved both challenging and rewarding for the country’s best junior surfers.
The Under 18 Boys division set the tone for the day. In the opening heat, Raglan’s Theo Morse used smart wave selection and sharp execution to take out the win over Jett Dalton, Ethan Kirk-Orman, and Sam Frazerhurst. In the second heat of the day Piha’s Christian Fougere exploded with a powerful backhand snap that earned a 7.33 from the judges — one of the highest single-wave scores of the day — putting him not only at the top of the heat, but also in early contention for the $100 Biggest Manoeuvre Award. The move set a benchmark for the kind of radical surfing that the event is known to inspire.
Following the momentum, Joe Goodjohn(Mount) kept things rolling in Heat 3, controlling his exchanges with well-timed turns and a calm, composed strategy. Then came Tao Mouldey of Mount Maunganui, who delivered one of the day’s most stylish performances. Using a flowing combination of forehand manoeuvres, Mouldey racked up a 7.30 ride, bringing his total heat score to 14.30 and further heating up the battle for the standout manoeuvre prize.
The Under 18 Girls division saw equally fierce competition and a few nail-biting finishes. Heat 1 featured a strong start from Whangamata’s India Kennings, who found a solid 5.17 early in the heat, later backing it up with a 2.83. Her confident start proved too tough for her opponents to match. She was joined in progression by Buller Boardriders’ Lenka Cargill, who dug deep to find a 3.5 and a 2.3, enough to earn second place ahead of Raglan’s Ayla Gee and Bella Ozich.
Heat 2 saw Mount Maunganui’s Ariana Walker and local surfer Te Waiotu Fairlie of Uawa showcase their local knowledge to secure passage to the quarterfinals. Fairlie expressed her pride in representing her home break, saying, “Tricky conditions as always out Kaiaua, but happy overall to have surfable waves at my home break, and to see some talent here locally. So stoked to host a national event in our small town.”
The third heat of the Under 18 Girls saw one of the most dominant performances of the day. Mount Maunganuis Sage Fritchley, who has been making waves in recent competitions, scored a standout 7.33 ride and secured a first-place finish despite a minimal backup score. Northland’s Grace Gundry, currently attending the Raglan Surf Academy, used her experience to edge out local surfer Bonnie Lynch and progress in second place.
In the Under 16 Boys division, the level of progression and raw talent was immediately evident. Heat 1 saw Charlie Hartstone and Ahipara’s Taj Phillips dominate the shifty beach break conditions, using their strong rail game to advance confidently to the next round. The action intensified in Heat 2 as Remy Sale lit up the lineup with a technical and powerful combination of turns, earning a commanding 7.83 — one of the top scores of the day and a sign of his readiness for Sunday’s high-stakes heats.
The momentum continued into the later Under 16 heats, with standouts including Luca Thompson, Logan Verster, Sol Fritchley, Zeke Pragert, Indica Corcoran, and Zen Mouldey. Each displayed both courage and style in their approach to the chunky, unpredictable peaks. Joining them in the quarterfinals were Luca Ramsay, Kentaro Mitchell, Cade John Carr, Benjamin Dixon, Van Camezind, Zak Becroft, and Occy Tapara — each of whom had to fight hard through tightly contested heats to earn their spot.
The excitement surrounding the $100 Biggest Manoeuvre Award — a crowd and competitor favorite — also reached fever pitch by day’s end. The award is set aside for one surfer from each division who goes beyond the basics to deliver a single, radical moment of brilliance. As Sequence Surf Shop owner Blair Stewart puts it, “It’s not just about playing it safe. We want to see who’s really willing to push their surfing to the next level.”
So far, a number of competitors have stepped up. Christian Fougere’s massive backhand snap remains a frontrunner in the Under 18 division. In the Under 14s, Haru Marsden’s powerful forehand hack earned him a 6.0 and put him firmly in the conversation. Feon Clifford also turned heads with his clean technique and strong heat total of 13.9. Jaxon Pardoe, who has been putting in the hours training at home, executed a smooth and confident forehand hack to earn a 6.33, adding his name to the shortlist.
Pardoe, clearly buzzing after his heat, said, “Pretty tricky but quite fun. Stoked to get that good one. I’ve been surfing heaps around home lately, stoked to be surfing Kaiaua as I know it well and surf here all the time. I didn’t get the waves I wanted today so will hopefully build on my scores tomorrow.”
Marsden echoed a similar sentiment, saying, “Pretty fun lefts were coming through. My strategy was just get out there, get some waves, get the ball rolling. Haven’t had a comp for a while so good to get back into it. I’ve been surfing heaps at home, doing mock heats with my mates and chasing waves so I’ve been feeling good for this comp. My strategy worked well today so am going to stick with it tomorrow and hopefully make it to the final.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s semifinals, Heat 1 will feature Ariana Walker and Lenka Cargill taking on Te Waiotu Fairlie, while Heat 2 will see Sage Fritchley, India Kennings, and Grace Gundry battle it out for a place in the finals. With clean conditions forecast again for Sunday, the stage is set for some of the most exciting junior women’s surfing of the year.
With a clear forecast for Sunday and a stacked schedule of semifinals and finals across all divisions, the 2025 Gisborne Junior Pro is shaping up to be an epic end to the 2025 New Zealand junior surf calendar. The shift to Kaiaua — though forced by Mother Nature — has delivered some of the best junior surfing conditions seen all season.
The event continues tomorrow at Kaiaua with finals action from mid-morning, culminating in the crowning of division champions and the announcement of the Biggest Manoeuvre Award winners.
The Gisborne Junior Pro is proudly presented by Sequence Surf Shop, with additional support from Creatures of Leisure, Sex Wax, Gisborne Boardriders, East Coast Boardriders, and the Eastern & Central Community Trust (ECCT). Their combined commitment to grassroots surfing and youth development ensures that events like this remain a vital stepping stone for New Zealand’s next generation of surfing stars.
For more information, live scores, and updates, visit www.liveheats.com/surfingnewzealand.
Further Information
For further information on the 2025 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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