NZ’s top groms here for Junior Pro

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Rising surfers from Ahipara to Dunedin are converging on Gisborne for the latest round of the New Zealand Grom Series — the Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro — this weekend.

Scheduled for Makorori’s Red Bus break from tomorrow, the two-day Gisborne Junior Pro is another exciting event on an 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, so the groms will need to be prepared for all conditions.

The Gisborne Junior Pro features

under-14, u16 and u18 divisions.

After as stellar start to 2023, Sol Fritchley (Mount Maunganui) leads the rankings in the u14 boys’ division. Coming off back-to-back wins in the South Island series of events, he will be one to watch.

Jack Higgins (Dunedin), after a slow start to the year, found momentum in his home waters to be sitting in second place on the rankings, and is looking to continue that form.

Zen Mouldey (Mount Maunganui) is in third position after a win in Christchurch and two third placings.

In the girls’ division, Kyra Wallis (Piha) is sitting at the top of the points table but will need to hold off Indi lee Ruddell (Whangamata) who is looking to go one better than her second-place finish from 2022. Maddie Todd and Poppy Arkle will also be ones to watch.

With a stacked line up of surfers in the u16 girls’ division, Leia Millar (Piha), Alani Morse (Raglan) and Lola Groube (Pauanui) will have their work cut out as a pack of hungry talent sit just behind them on the leaderboard.

Maya Mateja (Raglan), winner of the u14 division here last year, is contesting the u16 age group this time.

The u16 boys’ division is again at capacity with Tao Mouldey (Mt M) leading the pack and out to continue his winning streak.

Others to watch out for are national u16 champion Alexis Owen (Dunedin), Theo Morse (Raglan), Tava Santorik (Papamoa), Will Hardie (Piha) and Harry Prins (Hawke’s Bay).

A powerhouse outside contingent will also face stiff challenges from the Gisborne fraternity, with local knowledge certain to be an advantage.

The Gisborne Junior Pro will once again see the return of the biggest manoeuvre and highest heat score awards.

The action is scheduled to start at 8am and run to 5pm.