The 2011 Quiksilver Northland Scholastic Surfing team placed 5th overall out of 10 teams at the 2011 National Scholastics Surfing Championships held in the Far North from 10th-14th October. The 5th placing was the best result in recent years for the Northland team, with the team coming in ahead of rivals Auckland and the Waikato.

The 12 strong team competed in near perfect waves for the 5 days of the event at the Bluff on Ninety Mile Beach, Rarawa Beach on the East Coast with the finals being held at Pines, Ahipara. With over 100 surfers across 8 divisions and from 10 regions throughout New Zealand, the event was one of the best in recent years.

Manu Scott-Arrieta (WBHS) posted the teams best result with a 3rd placing in the Under 14 Boys division. Scott-Arrieta is the current National Under 14 Champion and was a stand-out the entire event. Older brother Patxi Scott-Arrieta (Kamo High School), who was also the Northland Team Captain, also surfed consistently throughout the event placing 5th overall in the Under 18 Boys Division. Patxi relished in the solid waves on offer all week and his maturity shone through both on land and in the water. 2011 New Zealand Junior Team surfer Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata) was one of best surfers in the event and was unlucky to be eliminated in the semi-finals of the Under 16 Boys Division placing 5th also. Moretti, who is based out of Mimiwhangata, is a regular on the NZ competition scene and was a great ambassador along with his team mates for Northland at the event.

Mangawhai Heads surfers Louie Smith and Ryan Renall also posted their best ever competitive results at a National event, with both surfers placing 7th overall - Smith in the Under 18 Boys Division and Renall in the Under 14 Boys. Both surfers were stoked to make the semi-finals of their respective divisions. Fellow Mangawhai Heads surfers Alana Thrasyvoulou and Robyn Turnbull also surfed well in the event with both placing in the top 8 surfers in the country. All four surfers attend Rodney College in Wellsford.

Heading into the final day of the event Northland held first position for the overall team points, but the ever consistent Gisborne team took out the event with wins in the Under 16 Boys and Under 18 Girls Divisions, followed by a strong finish from Canterbury, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki.

Overall team rankings as follows:
1, Gisborne, 15170
2, Canterbury, 14926
3, Bay of Plenty, 14780
4, Taranaki, 14070
5, Northland, 13573
6, Auckland, 13503
7, Waikato, 11990
8, Coromandel, 11710
9, Wellington, 6158
10, Hawkes Bay, 4575

The 2011 Quiksilver Northland Team was as follows : Joe Palmer (Kerikeri High School) Sergio Hansen (Kaitaia College) Manu Scott-Arietta (WBHS) Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata) Ryan Renall (Rodney College) Fraser Seymour (WBHS) Matt McGregor (Kamo High School) Louie Smith (Rodney College) Patxi Scott-Arrieta (Kamo High School) Jack Treacy (WBHS) Alana Thrasyvolou (Rodney College) Robyn Turnbull (Rodney College) Jason Ruddell - Coach , Tony Baker – Manager

The team would like to thank the following people for their support in 2011: Maz, Niki and Callum from Quiksilver NZ for the epic uniforms, Whangarei Boys High School, The Te Rarawa Iwi and Roma Marae, Paul Hansen and the Far North Community, Ben Kennings from Surfing New Zealand, Sport Northland, Single Fin

Photography www.singlefin.co.nz and all local media.

For images of the 2011 Quiksilver Northland Scholastics Surfing team and other photos from the event check out the following link :

http://www.singlefin.co.nz/_blog/Scholastics_Surfing

If you require any images please email me and I will send them through. All photo credits - Tony Baker

If you require any further information please don't hesitate to contact me. I look forward to your ongoing support with scholastic surfing in Northland.