NZ's pioneering female surfer seems certain to venture into troubled waters off her beloved Taranaki coast this weekend.

Two six metre walls of water knocked spectators onto a rocky beach, significantly injuring 13.

Kiwi Ben Poulter is just two great waves away from the grand final at the ISA junior world surfing championships at Piha.

The old Reverend of gospel and soul Al Green may have been singing for 60-odd years but this is the first time he has made it Downunder.

The NZ team have been making the most of their limited build-up for the World Junior Surfing Championships beginning in Piha.

With growing numbers chasing the perfect ride or just an uncrowded wave come tensions - which can spill over into abuse, vandalism and arrests.

Sun, sea and the birth of surfing: the second part of a four-part story by Graeme Lay.