Event two of the Northland Scholastic Surfing Series took place in rough 1.0m waves at Sandy Bay on Friday 6th May 2011. With strong onshore winds and heavy rain forecast, contest organisers were pleasantly surprised by quite mild conditions and very contestable waves and conditions improved dramatically through out the day.

The girls division saw 2 new faces added to the picture from the Ahipara event with Mangawhai surfers Julia Smith and Zeisha Flavell joining fellow Rodney College students Alana Thrasyvoulou and Robyn Turnbull at Sandy Bay. Smith picked off a few fun ones in the final to place 3rd. Thrasyvoulou, who won the first event of the NSSS at Ahipara continued her good form at Sandy Bay but it was Robyn Turnbull who surfed a couple of chunky right handers to win the division. Turnbull, a former top Northland Triathlon competitor, has enjoyed the challenges of the NSSS and is definately a hopeful for the 2011 Northland Team.

Another growth area was the Longboard Division with four surfers from Bream Bay College taking to the waves of Sandy Bay. Fraser Coutts took on the bigger waves in the final, and Jake Moffat trimmed his way through a few nice ones. But it was Karl Hines who impressed the judges taking out the final. Sole Bodyboarder Sam Moffat (Bream Bay College) also enjoyed some nice long waves to win his final.

In the Under 14's it was a stand out win by Manu Scott-Arrieta (Whangarei Boys High School) and his local knowledge paid off with him picking the best waves in all his heats. Scott-Arrieta, who is the current National Under 14 Boys Champion, let loose on every wave he caught with his progressive yet smooth style. Another stand out surfer was Ryan Renall (Rodney College). Renall also enjoyed the playful conditions and utilised the left handers on on offer placing second. Other surfers who stood out in the Under 14 division include Oisin Simperingham (WBHS), Kye Bedford (WBHS) and Ahipara's Sergio Hansen (Kaitaia College)

In the Under 16's a 32 surfer draw made for some great surfing action. Matt McGregor (WBHS) was a standout in the early rounds, and was a crowd favourite. Fellow WBHS surfer Fraser Seymour also continued his good form streaking ahead of his fellow competitors in the rounds. Local Sandy Bay shredder Seth Rosetti (Kamo High School) surfed with commitment, but it was Kerikeri High School surfer Joe Palmer who dominated the division, taking out his 2nd win of the series. Palmer who was in the Northland team in 2010 has moved into a convincing lead on the Under 16 NSSS ratings and will no doubt be looking to make it three from three at the final event in July.

In one of the most explosive exchanges of the day the Under 18 boys division put on a display of quality surfing. Ari Tidyman (Rodney College) continued to prove he is a contender in his age group and enjoyed the improved conditions. On a count back Ocean Beach's Jack Treacy (WBHS) placed 3rd in the final. Event One winner Louie Smith (Rodney College) seemed to be lost at sea for much of the final, but in the dying minutes surfed two excellent waves to take out 2nd place. But the final went to the in form and local favourite Patxi Scott-Arrieta (Kamo High School). Patxi put on an explosive display of forehand surfing smashing big cut backs and re-entries to win convincingly.

Manu Scott - Arrieta - Image Tony Baker	Robyn Turnball - Image Tony Baker
Girls Finalists - Image Tony Baker	Under 16 Boys Finalists - Image Tony Baker
Louie Smith - Image Tony Baker

Results - Northland Scholastics Series 2011 - Event Two @ Sandy Bay - Friday 6th May 2011

Under 14 Boys
1st Manu Scott-Arrietta (WBHS)
2nd Ryan Renall (Rodney College)
3rd Oisin Simperingham (WBHS)
4th Sergio Hansen (Kaitaia College)

Under 16 Boys
1st Joe Palmer (Kerikeri High School)
2nd Fraser Seymour (WBHS)
3rd Seth Rosetti (Kamo High School)
4th Matt McGregor (WBHS)

Under 18 Boys
1st Patxi Scott-Arrieta (Kamo High School)
2nd Louie Smith (Rodney College)
3rd Jack Treacy (WBHS)
4th Ari Tidyman (Rodney College)

Girls
1st Robyn Turnbull (Rodney College)
2nd Alana Thrasyvoulou (Rodney College)
3rd Julia Smith (Rodney College)
4th Zeisha Flavell (Rodney College)

Longboard
1st Karl Hines (Bream Bay College)
2nd Jake Moffat (Bream Bay College)
3rd Fraser Coutts(Bream Bay College)
4th Kurt McDonald(Bream Bay College)

Bodyboard
1st Sam Moffat (Bream Bay College)

The NSSS Committee would like to thank the North Coast Board Riders for their support on the day, especially Mal and Simon from the Tutukaka Surf Company for providing prizes for the event winners. Also to Hayley Moselen from Sport Northland for all her support on the day and Kevin Piper who was the contest Head Judge.

The third and final event of the 2011 NSSS series is scheduled to run @ Mangawhai Heads on the 8th July 2011. For more information please email

northlandscholastics@gmail.com