NZ Juniors ready to hit surf in Panama

The Rip Curl New Zealand Junior Surfing Team, including Mimiwhangata's Paul Moretti, have touched down in Panama and were preparing for the 2012 DaKine ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

The world championships takes place at Playa Venao, Panama, and got underway on Saturday, and will conclude on April 22.

The 12 Kiwi surfers were making the most of the clean surf conditions in the build up to the event.

"The waves are a fun 2-3ft most days," team captain Ben Poulter said.

"The waves are very tidal and change a lot with the different tides so our team have working hard on understanding the break as best possible and the different conditions we are likely to face," he added.

Over 300 surfers from 30 nations are competing for medals in the Under-18 Boys and Girls and Under-16 Girls.

Each team will also vie for overall team placings with the top eight nations contesting the Aloha Cup tag team style event.

NZ team manager Tony Baker said the team were settling well after the arduous 65 hours of travel to get to Panama's Playa Venao.

New Zealand has competed at the event since its inception as well as competing at the World Grommet Titles as it was formerly known since 1989. In 2011 the New Zealand team placed tenth at the event when it was held in Peru.