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2011 New Zealand Junior Surfing Team Training Camp |
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Written by Lee Ryan
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Thursday, 28 April 2011 |
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Team members in front of the wharenui RUKUPO
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The Rip Curl New Zealand Junior Surfing Team attended an intensive training camp in Gisborne recently in preparation for the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship to be held from 21 – 29 May in Peru. With just under three weeks to go before the team leave for Punta Hermosa, the training camp was a great opportunity for the surfers to work on their competition tactics, techniques and team bonding.
The team travelled to the wave rich Mahia Peninsula to surf breaks they would not normally surf. “We chose Mahia as a location because it gives the coaches an indication on how quickly the surfers adapt to a new surf break. It is easy to surf your local break well if you surf it on a day to day basis” commented Team Manager Lee Ryan.
The team based the mselves at Manutuke Marae (Maori Battalion) which was a great venue allowing the team to learn the history of the local Iwi as well as build on the team spirit and bonding.
The Marae atmosphere is perfect for developing whanaungatanga and kotahitanga (team bonding and unity) commented SNZ Operations Manager Steve Ria.
Spending time on the Marae allowed team members to get to know each other better and help strengthen their relationship as a team. Opportunities to participate in general Marae activities demonstrated the team’s willingness to share roles and responsibilities and highlighted to the Management team the strengths and weakness of each member as a team player.
“I really got a lot out of the camp such as getting strength out of being together as a team and building a winning environment” Paul Moretti.
New Zealand
Longboard representative Daniel Procter was on hand to talk to the team
about the location, wave set up and gave the team some useful tips
having visited the same contest arena for the ISA World Surfing Games in
2010 with the New Zealand Open Team.
Procter was also on hand to teach the team the new haka that was especially written and produced by Derek Lardelli.
“I
really enjoyed the training camp. It was so good to stay with everyone. Thanks
heaps to Surfing NZ for putting it together, getting me more excited
and amped to represent NZ and go show the world what we can do!”
commented Todd Doyle.
At
the end of the two day training camp Joe Moretti and Alexis Poulter
were announced as team captains. The team will be attending a final
training camp at Piha on the 16th May just prior to flying out to Peru
on the 17th May.
For more information on the NZ Junior Team
please contact Team Manager Lee Ryan on 021 1160160 or email
lee.ryan@surfingnz.co.nz
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