Piha Goes Off For Vodaphone Surf Sessions

Piha reached capacity with a crowd of at least 15,000 people when New Zealand took on the World at the Vodafone Surf Sessions.

The New Zealand surfers – Maz Quinn, Daniel Kereopa, Bobby Hansen and Morehu Roberts – took on world team of Parko, Occy, Irons and Garcia. The World team won the overall competition scoring 60 points compared to New Zealand’s 50.

Cars were turned away about from 2pm when parking at the West Coast beach reached its limit. There was even a rumour that people were parking at nearby Karekare Beach, some 10 kilometres away and walking in.

The first round of four heats was a tie, with Maz Quinn, Daniel Kereopa and Andy Irons winning their heats. The second round – a tag team competition, saw Andy Irons seal the victory for his team and proving his status as the power surfer. Andy nailed the highest wave of the round scoring a 9.0 out of a possible 10 and stole the hearts of the crowd with a number of phenomenal moves.

Conditions at Piha were “contestable” with waves of one metre and the rain holding off.

Early in the competition Andy Irons treated the capacity crowd to the awesome sight of an aerial manoeuvre to score 9.8. Local Piha icon and commentator Indian Nick told the crowd he was about to faint at Irons’ wave.

However the New Zealand team was not to be eclipsed when Maz Quinn executed some powerful turns producing a ton of spray.

At the prizegiving after the competition, surf legend Sunny Garcia said he was amazed with the hospitality the world team had received since arriving in New Zealand.

“We don’t even get treated this way on the ASP World Tour!,” said Sunny.

He went on to say that with the crowd’s support he was sure the New Zealand surfers could go a long way internationally.

Current World Champion Andy Irons said it had been the most generous crowd he’s ever surfed in front of and that he’s looking forward to definitely returning to New Zealand in the future.

Gisborne local Maz Quinn said, “This is the most people I’ve seen at a surfing event anywhere in the world.”

Greg Townsend, Chief Executive Surfing New Zealand says the success of the event is sure to help attract the world’s top surfers to our shores in the future.

The World team picked up a trophy board designed by Aaron Kereopa, Daniel’s brother, which featured the Maori god of the elements in its design. The day’s activity was topped off by the Vodafone Signing Session where the fans got to meet their heroes face to face.

Source: Surfing New Zealand

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