<< Back to news
Talent aplenty at longboard champs
8th December 2022 The Gisborne Herald Fraser Ruru
Photo: Imagery by Don Pearson - Origins Of Light
Surfers from the far reaches of the country travelled to Gisborne to compete in the Gizzy Longboard Championships hosted by Gisborne Boardriders Club.
Imagery by Origins Of Light (Don Pearson)Surfers from the far reaches of the country travelled to Gisborne to compete in the Gizzy Longboard Championships hosted by Gisborne Boardriders Club.
Well over 40 competitors took part in the event, held at Midway Beach at the weekend.
Nathaniel Fitt of Mangawhai Heads took out the open men's division.
Event Coordinator Flo Bub said Fitt put a lot of flow, style and good combos into the waves he caught.
“The men's open final had the crowd out of their seats,” he said.
“Surfers were pulling out all of their tricks.
“It was a fabulous day. We had surfers come from Christchurch, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.”
Imagery by Origins Of Light (Don Pearson)
The women's open was won by local surfer Jay Ryan-Emerre.
“Her style and nose-riding skills were the standout features for her,” Bub said.
“She put in an amazing performance while battling an injury.”
The junior boys had some good competition. First place was decided by the narrowest of margins, and Bub said it was a really good watch.
Imagery by Origins Of Light (Don Pearson)
“Jack Tyro (from Christchurch) snagged first place by just 0.01 of a point,” he said.
“We have a lot of young talent coming through the ranks, some even contending in the open men's final.”
A barbecue and plenty of prizes were on offer for competitors.
Bub said the spectators enjoyed and helped create a fun vibe.
“Our MC for the day, Daniel Procter, gave everyone a good laugh,” he said.
Imagery by Origins Of Light (Don Pearson)
Grant Cochrane, from the South Island, won the 60-plus division and local surfer Trent Lillis won the 50-plus. Jason Pitkeathly, from Mount Maunganui, won the amateur grade.
60-plus: Grant Cochrane (South Island) 1; Kieran Grealish 2; Ben Hutchings 3, Don Pearson 4.
50-plus: Trent Lillis 1; Grant Cochrane (South Island) 2; Steve Tyro (Christchurch) 3; Rhys Fitt (Mangawhai) 4.
Junior boys: Jack Tyro (Christchurch) 1; Nathaniel Fitt (Mangawhai) 2; Geordie Sawyer 3; Caelan Pitkeathly (Mount Maunganui) 4.
Junior girls: Jay Ryan-Emerre 1; Willow McBride (Mount Maunganui) 2; Lucy McDiarmid 3; Zosia Costello 4.
Amateur grade: Jason Pitkeathly (Mount Maunganui) 1; Lucy McDiarmid 2; Phil Watson 3; Megan Costello 4.
Women's open: Jay Ryan-Emerre 1; Hannah Kohn 2; Alex Laurie 3; Alice McKenzie 4.
Men's open: Nathaniel Fitt (Mangawhai) 1; Jack Tyro (Christchurch) 2; Sam Johnson 3; Geordie Sawyer 4.
