 |
|
Hard off the top - Image NZ Surfing Magazine
|
The Edge 94 FM, 2008 Opunake Kneeboard Surfing Classic sees the return of two of Australia’s finest kneeboard surfers. Matt Gallagher of Cronulla and Pommie Anderson, Victoria, have both confirmed they will be starters in this year’s kneeboard surfing classic to be held on Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend.
Matt and Pommie will run coaching clinics while in the coastal town. The skills and experience they bring will be most beneficial to NZ’s up and coming generation of kneeboard surfers. Their attendance at this years contest is particularly timely with the World Kneeboard Surfing titles to be held in Opunake next year, says contest director Murray Weir of Opunake. Both have appeared in the finals of world events in the past, with Matt Gallagher taking 3rd place in the 2007 World Kneeboard Surfing Titles held in Santa Cruz, USA.
Canadian kneeboard surfer and world traveller, Kiya Kelly, who also competed at Santa Cruz, has been competing on the Australian circuit over the last 6 months.
Kelly, who comes from Vancouver, has been surfing the globe and will be the one to watch in the open women’s division. Local teenager, Jordan Cooksley will ensure the Canadian will have to be at her best. Judging by Jordan’s results at a recent scholastic surfing event, it should make for an exciting contest.
Besides the overseas entrants, Kneeboard Surfing New Zealand will be trying to entice all NZ kneeboard surfers to get to Opunake to thus qualify for the up and coming 2009 world event, (Note: all NZ surfers must surf in at least one NZ or Australian event to be considered for seeding into the Open division at next years world titles; those not doing so will have to qualify through the preliminary trials). Top NZ and Taranaki kneeboard surfers, Hamish and Josh Christophers, have indicated they will be present to take on the Aussie pair and go for the prize money on offer. Opunake locals, Cameron and Shaun Stanley have also been seen around the local breaks, honing their skills.
Up and coming junior kneeboard surfer, Roydon Stewart has been steadily improving and is another to watch. Valuable experience gained in Coffs Harbour last year, as part of the NZ junior team, paid dividends for Stewart, with an excellent placing in the men’s Open Kneeboard division at this year’s National Surfing Champs in Gisborne. He will certainly be looking to better his ranking and move up the ladder. Not to be out done, past NZ champion, Craig Mcdonald along with fellow Aucklander, Phil Miller and Tauranga’s Craig Hooper will head to Opunake for this years event and to stake their claims as NZ’s top kneeboard surfers.
KSNZ will also be using the event to choose an open and junior development team to travel and compete in Australia later this year.
Hosted by KSNZ and the Opunake Board Riders Club, the weekend will be a great opportunity for all kneeboard surfers and their families to socialise with the visitors and town folk, with many of the local businesses once again supporting this event.
The KSNZ AGM will be held during the event and surfers will be brought up to date with planning for next years World Titles.
|
