Surfing New Zealand Ratings Released
The New Zealand surfers competing on the Australasian Pro Junior Series finished on a high note over the weekend with the majority of the fifteen surfers improving their final ranking with good results in the final event of the series – the Billabong Pro Junior held at Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia. Richard Christie (Gis) was the biggest improver jumping from 26th to 15th on the ratings after he equalled his season best performance placing 5th.
Christie was in commanding form at the event revelling in the chance to let loose in solid 6-8ft right-handers that suit his big frame and powerful surfing. Christie caught what many were describing as the wave of the day while surfing in the main event as well as going on to win the Panasonic Expression Session. Christie has one more year left competing in the U/20 age group before he moves on to competing on the ASP World Qualifying Series.
Christie’s performance was not quite enough to get him into the Australasian Pro Junior Team that competes at the World Pro Junior Championships in January 2008. However, New Zealand will be represented at the event by Gold Coast based Kiwi Airini Mason. Mason placed second at the final event of the year and in doing so finished runner up on the final ratings – good enough to secure one of only two spots for the Australasians at the World Pro Junior Champs.
Several other top Kiwi surfers excelled at the final event of the year including Raglan’s Billy Stairmand who placed 13th at the event and Ryan Hawker (Piha) who placed 19th. Stairmand only competed in four of the required eight events counted toward the final ratings but finished 108th overall. Hawker with his performance jumped up to 60th on the ratings as the second highest Kiwi surfer one place ahead of Tim O’Connor (Mnt). All three surfers have at least two further years of eligibility in the division.
In the girls division Paige Hareb (Tara) finished eighth on the ratings after a third at the last event. Mischa Davis (Piha) finished in 13th, Wini Paul (Sandy Bay) in 18th and Daisy Thomas (Chch) in 19th. With the exception of Davis who is ineligible for the division in 2008, the other girls will be back to better their results in 2008.
Australasian Pro Junior Series Boys Ratings
1, Mitchell Coleborn (Aus)
2, Julian Wilson (Aus)
3, Heath Joske (Aus)
4, Jayke Sharpe (Aus)
5, Beau Atchison (Aus)
15, Richard Christie (Gis)
60, Ryan Hawker (Piha)
61, Tim O’Connor (Mnt)
81, Luke Hughes (Rag)
90, Kierin Van Der Helder (Rag)
92, Morehu Roberts (Gis)
108, Billy Stairmand (Rag)
131, Gauranga Ormond (WGM)
135, Matt Hewitt (Mnt)
154, Paco Divers (Sandy Bay)
Australasian Pro Junior Series Girls Ratings
1, Sally Fitzgibbon (Aus)
2, Airini Mason (NZ)
3, Laura Enever (Aus)
4, Jessie Hickson (Aus)
5, Kirby Wright (Aus)
8, Paige Hareb (Tara)
13, Mischa Davis (Piha)
18, Wini Paul (Sandy Bay)
19, Daisy Thomas (Chch)
33, Jessica Santorik (Rag)
The latest SNZ Grom Series ratings have also been released this week after the third leg of the Rip Curl GromSearch that was held in Wellington during the school holidays. See below for the top five rated surfers in each division. For full ratings as well as the Rip Curl GromSearch ratings after three of four events please go to http://www.surfingnz.co.nz/ratings.htm.
Under 16 Boys
1, Matt Hewitt, (Mnt)
2, Ryan Hawker (Piha)
3, Buck Woods (Gis)
4, Johnny Hicks (Gis)
5, Tyler Anderson (Tara)
Under 14 Boys
1, Tane Wallis (Piha)
2, Ben Poulter (Piha)
3, Todd Doyle (Mnt)
4, Joe Moretti (Mimiwhangata)
5, Dune Kennings (Whmata)
Under 12 Boys
1, Peri Matenga (Mnt)
2, Kahu Craig Te Ranga (Waihi Bch)
3, Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata)
4, Dune Kennings (Whmata
5, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha)
Under 16 Girls
1, India Wray Murane, (Muriwai)
2, Rosa Thompson (Auck)
3, Alexis Poulter (Piha)
4, Nicola Colson-Koster (Auck)
5, Demi Poynter (Northlnd)
Under 14 Girls
1, Alexis Poulter (Rag)
2, Rosa Thompson (Auck)
3, Ella Williams (Whmata)
4, Alethea Lock (Chch)
5, Grace Spiers (Whmata)
Under 12 Girls
1, Ella Williams (Whmata)
2, Ella Spiers (Whmata)
3, Gabriela Sansom (Auck)
4, Jayda Fitzharris (Gis)
5, Bianca Sansom (Auck)
Source: Surfing New Zealand
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