The Quiksilver New Zealand Surfing Team departs for the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games to be held at Costa Da Caparica, Portugal tonight (7^th October).  The prestigious biennial event known as the Olympics of surfing takes place from the 11^th – 19^th of October and the ten-strong team of New Zealand surfers are ready for action.

This is the first time since 2002 that New Zealand has sent a full team of surfers to the event.  Furthermore the team that departs tonight is as strong as New Zealand has ever fielded.  This bodes well for a good result at the nine-day event.

“The team this year has a great look about it.  The team is strong across all divisions with each of the surfers having excelled at their respective domestic surfing events here in New Zealand” commented National Selector Ben Kennings “The New Zealand team finished 13^th in 2004 and 12^th in 2006.  On both occasions the team was not at full capacity so coming into this event we expect the New Zealand team to climb the ratings significantly”.

Team manager Dave van Staden is also upbeat about the prospects of the team “With a full team attending the event and the likes of Maz Quinn (Gis) and Luke Cederman available for the tour we are expecting to make an impact on the top nations such as Australia, USA, Hawaii and South Africa.  The team is strong across the board we can’t wait to get in the water over there and start competing” said a visibly amped van Staden.

The event kicks off with the Parade of Nations on the 11^th of October and is followed by eight days of competition.  Approximately thirty nations will be competing at the event.  Australia are the defending champions.  In 2006 the event was won by South African surfer Jordy Smith.  

The 2008 Quiksilver New Zealand Surfing Team is as follows:

Open Men
Maz Quinn (Gis)

Leon Santorik (Raglan)

Luke Cederman (Raglan)

Zennor Wernham (Raglan)

Open Women
Jessica Santorik (Raglan)

Daisy Thomas (Christchurch)

Men’s Longboard
Daryn Mcbride (Mount Maunganui)

Men’s Bodyboard
Jarad Ferris (Gisborne)

Andrew Lowe (Blaketown)

Women’s Bodyboard
Mihi Wells (Auckland)

About International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding.  It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running World Championships since 1964, and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

The event will be broadcast live over the net via www.isasurf.org.  Media releases on the team’s performance will be distributed daily throughout the event.  For further information regarding the New Zealand Surfing Team please contact Ben Kennings at Surfing New Zealand 07 8250018, 0212278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.

The 2008 Quiksilver New Zealand Surfing Team is stoked to have the support of Quiksilver, New Zealand Community Trust and New Zealand Surfing Magazine.

Surfing New Zealand are proudly partnered by

Corona

Hyundai

SPARC

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Ends