A young Whangārei surfer has ended the summer season on a high after winning the Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro title over the weekend.
Te Kauwhata Kauwhata claimed the top podium spot in the under-18 boys division of the last national event for the summer season.
The surfer dominated after it was decided to move the final day of the event to Red Bus at Makorori Beach. Fortunately, Gisborne produced the goods for the finale with clean 1m waves fanned by light offshore winds all day.
"It feels really good to win one of these events. I have been doing them since the under-14 boys division and it just feels good to finally get the win," Kauwhata said.
"I have made the finals before in the 14s and 16s, but to put together a good heat in the final is so awesome".
Kauwhata credited his victory to the time he spent at the Raglan Surfing Academy this year.
"I have had the most support from coaches and surfing good waves every day has given me the chance to improve my surfing heaps."
Kauwhata took the win in the tightest final of the day with first to third separated by just over half a point.
Fellow academy student Tyler Perry, of Kaikoura, finished the final in second place having led for much of the 20 minutes.