Scott heads up Northland bid in Hawke's Bay

Billie Scott

A strong contingent of Northland surfers have made the trip to Hawke's Bay for the final national surfing event of the year - this weekend's Backdoor BayBash.

Representing Northland, Billie Scott will contest the open women, under-20 women and under-17 women divisions in the hope of backing up her recent top-four finish at the national scholastic titles.

Also flying the Northland flag, Matt McGregor (under-20 boys) and Max Brunker (under-14 boys) will surf in the event, as will current national primary schoolboys champion Tom Robinson, who will contest the under-17 and under-14 boys' divisions.

Mimiwhangata surfer Paul Moretti, who sits second on the under-20 boys' standings, hasn't made the trip to Hawke's Bay due to work commitments.

Fraser Falconer from Leigh will be surfing in the under-20 boys and under-17 boys in the BayBash, an event which will feature some of the country's top surfers.

Many members of the New Zealand junior surfing team which contested the ISA world junior championship at Oceanside Beach, California, will be heading to the Backdoor BayBash, but Sandy Bay's Manu Scott-Arrieta won't be contesting the event.

Currently placed second in the open men's rankings is Piha surfer Tane Wallis who will compete with older brother Zen. Wallis is unable to catch current leader and defending champion Maz Quinn (Gisborne) on the ratings table, despite Quinn being absent from the event this weekend.

Ella Williams (Whangamata) will feature on the female side of the draw after a year away competing on the World Surf League qualifying series, where she finished 29th overall.

Commitments to her international campaign have limited her attendance at domestic events this year so it will be a welcome return for Williams.

Action will take place from 8am to 5pm today and tomorrow, with a significant south swell set to hit the Hawke's Bay coastline late in the week.

The primary venue is Waimarama Beach, however if the surf is big enough, the right-hand point break at Te Awanga could come into play.

The Backdoor BayBash is an extension of the successful Backdoor GromBash event which has been held at Raglan for the past two years.