It was visualised as the happiest of homecomings for Paige Hareb, but New Zealand's pioneering female surfer instead seems certain to venture into troubled waters off her beloved Taranaki coast.
The addition of Fitzroy Beach to the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) women's world tour was intended to pay homage to the 19-year-old's success - and to encourage the next generation to follow in her wake.
Instead, the event has splintered the province's surfing community to such an extent Hareb has been harassed, anti-tour graffiti adorns grass at Fitzroy while surfers, angered by being denied access to waves between Sunday and next Friday, have threatened to disrupt it by paddling among the competitors.
Has surfing become too commercialised? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:
Has surfing become too commercialised?
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
