Mimiwhangata's Paul Moretti, pictured, has put his hand up for the New Zealand under-14 title at the National Scholastic Surfing Competition at Raglan this week.
In one to two foot waves, Moretti battled it out in the semifinals yesterday at Manu Bay and claimed a finals berth.
The Northland surfer will line
up beside Whangamata's Dune Kennings, Peri Matenga of Mount Maunganui and Gisborne's Adam Grimson today at Ruapuke Beach.
Today's finals were moved from the point-break at Manu Bay, 30 minutes south of Raglan, to Ruapuke due to the swell easing.
Twelve Northland surfers travelled south for the event, which attracted 100 up and coming competitors from around New Zealand.
Paul's older brother Joe Moretti, along with Louis Smith, were also in the water yesterday contesting the under-16 boys semifinals but were eliminated.
Cody Hale and Patxi Scott-Arrieta missed out on progressing to the semis - knocked out during the quarterfinals yesterday morning.
Fellow Northland surfer Demi Poynter had qualified for the under-18 girls semifinal but broke her leg doing a back-flip off a bridge while mucking about following Tuesday's competition. Bay of Plenty lead the team rankings, ahead of Waikato and Coromandel, while Northland are eighth.
