Top 5 finish realistic for NZ surf team

A top five world placing at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Panama is within reach of the New Zealand Junior Surfing Team according to national junior coach Jason Ruddell.

The newly appointed Whangarei coach said the team announced by Surfing NZ yesterday to compete at Panama's Playa Venao in April, is a committed 12-strong contingent, who have the ability to improve dramatically on last year's 10th place.

"We have set goals as a team for this year - and making the top five would be amazing. That's a realistic goal if everyone performs to their potential," Ruddell said.

Mimiwhangata's Paul Moretti is the sole Northland representative in the team, and one who is set to impress on the world stage in the under-18 grade.

The 16-year-old got a test run at last year's worlds, where he finished a disappointing 43rd in the under-16 grade. Ruddell is expecting Moretti to improve that standing substantially at the 2012 event. "Paul is a progressive surfer who does all the fancy tricks, which is what you need to do if you want success on the top stage," Ruddell said.

And Ruddell should know. A personal trainer by trade, he has spent hours in the gym and water working on strength and technique with Moretti and his older brother Joe.

In January, Surfing NZ named a 22-person squad following the national championships at Piha. The squad took part in two selection camps - the most recent was last weekend at Mount Maunganui, where the juniors were tested on strength and fitness. It was very difficult reducing the squad to a team of 12, Ruddell said.

"There was a lot of discussion between the coaching management following the camps because many of the kids are evenly placed in their surfing ability. But we were after the best overall package, including surfing ability, attitude and commitment to the team and to training," the coach explained.

Exciting 14-year-old Sandy Bay grommet Manu Scott-Arietta, who recently placed second and third in his age division at the first two rounds of the Billabong Grom Series, was part the squad but missed out on selection for the team to travel to Panama on April 8.

"Manu is just a bit too young - he has plenty of time left in the under-16 division, he's still surfing in the under-14s at nationals. Manu along with a couple of others were in the squad for development, as we have to think about their pathway to the next step also," Ruddell said.

The team will begin preparations for the event now with a nine week lead in where they will run through their individual training programmes as well as meeting up as a team at the end of March for a combined training camp at Raglan.

They also have several major national events to attend over the next two months as they hone their skills for international competition, which runs from April 14-22.

- New Zealand Junior Surfing Squad:

- Under-18 Boys: Ben Poulter (Rag), Mackenzie Christie (Mnt), Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata), Tane Wallis (Piha); Non travelling reserve, Jules Craft (Gis).

- Under-18 Girls: Alethea Lock (Chch), Ella Williams (WGM), Jasmine Smith (Gis), Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis): Non travelling reserve, Dayna Story (Gis).

- Under-16 Boys: Dune Kennings (WGM), Elliot Paerata-Reid (Piha), Jordan Griffin (Mnt), Korbin Hutchings (Gis); Non travelling reserve, Harrison Whiteside (Chch).