Surfing: Hareb win comes at a cost

Paige Hareb. Photo / ASP-Steve Robertson

Top New Zealand surfer Paige Hareb's first round win at the world surfing games in Panama has come at a cost.

Hareb injured her leg after showing full commitment ending a wave on the shallow sand shore-break.

"I finished my third turn on this wave and all of a sudden the beach was right there," she said.

"So I stepped off my board on my left leg, I'm not sure if I've torn a muscle or it was bad cramp, but my leg just tightened up super tight."

Hareb already had a convincing lead, scoring a 12.50 point total heat score on her first two waves.

Hareb tried to catch another wave, but as soon as she stood up she knew she could not surf and exited the water with more than five minutes remaining in the 20-minute heat.

Hareb received medical attention at the beach including an injection to ease the pain. With a round two match up likely on day two, Hareb said there was no way the untimely mishap would keep her out of the water.

The option of resting her leg for an extra day then taking on the double elimination format repechage rounds was out of the question.

"No way will I forfeit my next heat - there are too many heats to surf in the repechage rounds," she said.

"I would prefer to get another injection so I feel less pain while out in the water.

Hareb's seven teammates all progressed through to the second round.

The open men's division saw some challenging conditions throughout the day that kept big scores at a premium. All four New Zealanders placed second, with Tane Wallis (Piha) top scoring thanks to a good early start in his heat and a late 6.0 point ride to finish off.

Tane's older brother Zen, a first time New Zealand representative, fought it out in tough conditions for a 8.43 point second-placed total.

The men's division was rounded out by Otago University student JC Susan of Mount Maunganui and the youngest team member Ben Poulter (Raglan) placing second in their heats to keep the slate clean.

In the men's longboard division, Aucklander Phil Morris shone with 11.60 in his heat, while Matt Cockayne (Auckland) also finished second.

The New Zealand team finished seventh from 31 nations last year.

- NZPA