From left: Owen Barnes (coach), James Jacobs (president), Luke Griffin, Hinako Kurokawa, Alex Dive, Bruce Tod (manager) and Tai Murphy. Photo: Jamie Troughton, Dscribe Media
A team of Bay of Plenty surfers is about to take on some of the world’s best, including surfing legend Kelly Slater, in a competition on the Gold Coast.
The Bay Boardriders are preparing to compete at the World Club Surfing Championships at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast, Australia this week from Friday to Sunday.
They will be joining other teams from around the world including from Hawaii and elsewhere in the United States, the UK, Bali, Japan and Tahiti.
.
They will be competing against some of the world’s best, including “the Goat [greatest of all time] Kelly Slater and fellow Americans CJ and Damien Hobgood, Australians Owen and Mikey Wright, and Hawaiians Sebastian Zietz and Ezekiel Lau to name a few”, Bay Boardriders club president James Jacobs said.
The Bay of Plenty team includes three open men’s surfers, team captain Alex Dive, Luke Griffin, Tai Murphy and one woman, Hinako Kurokawa.
The team will travel with their coach, Owen Barnes, manager Bruce Tod and Jacobs.
“Competitive surfing is typically an individual sport, but at this event, you are part of a team surfing in a tag-team format,” Jacobs said.
“Our team members have the mana of being able to represent our club as well as New Zealand, with the opportunity now in front of them to surf against some of the world’s best for international honours,” he said.
Jacobs said this wasn’t the first time the team had competed at the world championships.
“To qualify for this event, you need to win the New Zealand National Club Championships, which Bay Boardriders have done for the last two consecutive years.”
Barnes said the team were eager to apply the lessons learned from previous years.
Barnes said Snapper Rocks offered ideal conditions for the team’s skills and he was confident they would make it to the later stages of the event.
“The tag-team format is all about strategy, timing and performing under pressure with limited time.
“Each team consists of four surfers who have 35 minutes to compete against three other teams, with the top teams advancing to the next round.
“After competing in the recent Bay Boarders Battle of the Streets event, our surfers are well prepared for the challenges that come with this unique format.
“We’re excited for what lies ahead and looking forward to showcasing our team’s potential on the world stage.”
Barnes describes team member Luke Griffin as an “aggressive, innovative” surfer; Alex Dive having powerful smooth rail work and as an excellent tube rider.
He describes Tai Murphy as a young, powerful surfer with strength and style, and Hinako Kurosawa as a stylish surfer with a strong rail game.
Team captain Alex Dive said he was stoked to be part of the Bay Boardriders team to represent the region and New Zealand.
“To be able to surf a world-class wave like Snapper Rocks with the best in the world is a dream come true.
“There’s no doubt we will be underdogs in a stacked field including 11-time world champion Kelly Slater; but as Kiwis, we are happy to have that label.
“There’s nothing to lose and I’m just excited to get out there and surf.
“We have a young team of talented surfers, so it’s going to be an epic event.”
Club president Jacobs said, “It’s definitely going to be exciting and fun to watch, so make sure to tune in and catch it live online.
“We would also like to acknowledge our sponsors, this would not have been possible without them – iLine construction, Ray White Bayfair, NZ Windows, Astrolabe Bar, Placemakers Mount Maunganui.”
A man fishing off rocks at Piha’s southern end had fallen into the water.