Surfing: Waves of anger mar event

Paige Hareb's hometown women's world series surfing contest has been overshadowed by protesters. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

Surf rage reared its head again in Taranaki this week and organisers are hoping that a compromise will prevent protectionist local surfers from disrupting the women's world series surfing contest which starts in New Plymouth today.

Threats that local surfers would paddle out and attempt to ruin competition between the top 17 female surfers in the world, including Taranaki's own world No 8 Paige Hareb, were not empty. Exactly that happened at a Taranaki beach a few years ago during a world masters event.

Local surfers paddled out and disrupted contestants, and the issue came to a head on shore when representatives of both sides exchanged blows. This week, graffiti on buildings and grass areas signalled the same sort of feelings were brewing again.

At the heart of all this is 'surf rage' - a term coined by former world champion Nat Young; himself badly beaten up by angry local surfers at his home beach in Australia.

Taranaki's surfers can be exceedingly protective when it comes to the high quality surf breaks in their province. They fear publicity will bring too many visitors to their shores, ruining their ability to enjoy the world-class conditions there.

Organisers of the TSB Bank Women's Surfing Festival decided on a compromise - to hold the event at New Plymouth's Fitzroy and Back beaches; keeping clear of other areas which local surfers regard as the 'jewel in the crown'.

Surfing Taranaki President Mike Hareb (Paige's dad), has been working closely with the regions' surfing clubs to take note of concerns. More consultation this week saw the compromise reached. That will likely prevent the event from disruption today but the episode has left a bad taste in some mouths.

"Paige and [former world champion] Sofia Mulonovich were confronted by an aggrieved local while free surfing at a break down the coast a few months ago. They were both very upset about it and felt unsafe surfing down there," Hareb said.

After media coverage surrounding the surfing parochialism, the surfer involved came forward and offered some sort of a defence for the behaviour. But, as Mike Hareb said: "Paige said it definitely wasn't an apology. The surfer involved is happy for the girls to free surf down there, but definitely doesn't want the contest."

Well known Taranaki surfer Wayne "Arch" Arthur said: "We have been hosting surfing events, both national and international, in Taranaki for 45 years and will probably do so for another 45 years. What this comes down to is having a bit of control over the area, and coming up with a compromise that suits the local surfing community.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about the event. Surfing in Taranaki is no secret any more and it's about how we manage our resources into the future," he said.

Event organisers have ensured security will be paramount and consistent with all international surfing events."

"Police have been made aware of our concerns and will monitor security closely. We will also utilise water safety craft including a jet ski and IRB (inflatable rescue boat) to control the contest area," said Hareb.

"We want to protect Taranaki surfers' interests, and run a world-class event. This is an event that will showcase the best female surfers in the world and the festival atmosphere will be an inspiration to young female surfers across New Zealand."

In his book, Surf Rage, Young said: "Surf rage has existed for a long, long time. But no one has wanted to expose the dirty underside of what's supposed to be a very glamorous sport."

It has been well documented that surfing's rapid growth has meant that destinations across the globe are increasingly being faced with massive crowds and egos from all walks of life. This often leads to territorialism or "localism", as it is commonly referred to in surfing circles.

Australian beaches have seen a continuous increase in incidents of violence and staunch localism over the last few decades.