After a 12-year hiatus, the most prestigious contest in our land returned to the Taranaki region and the legendary surf breaks of Surf Highway 45.
Over these legendary championships there have been some pivotal moments that shaped the sport here in NZ as we know it, and each and every year it kicks off the new season with a bang. While some taste the ecstasy of being crowned the champ, others dreams, and hearts are broken, tears are shed and mums and dad’s pick up the pieces. There are so many moments within those seven days which those in attendance will remember in their own ways. So we bring you a few of our editors picks of the key happenings from his point of view after 25 years of covering the National Surf Champs, where he sits patiently focussed out on the shoreline from dawn till dusk for seven days straight, waiting for the right time to press his finger on the shutter, and observing the emotions, behaviours, and the form of the best talents from the front line.
The Return to the Naki:
This story is from the Issue 185 edition of NZ SURFING MAGAZINE.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 185 edition of NZ SURFING MAGAZINE.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Trigger Finger
Ask any top surf coach and the two elements they will concentrate on and recommend are a solid bottom turn and being able to develop speed - as they say, speed is your friend, and many of the best surfers on the planet also happen to be the fastest surfers.
THESHAPESHIFTER ROGER HALL
Ladies and Gentleman Choose Your Weapons: How to decide on your next surfboard.
The Olympians
Over 50 years ago surfing’s greatest ambassador of all time, the legendary Duke Kahanamoku, had a vision that one day surfing would become an Olympic sport.
The Gladiator Pit
Born from the era of the Roman Empire, armed combatants known as gladiators would enter the arena also known as the Gladiator Pit to face up against other gladiators, animals and criminals in fierce battle in what was seen as entertainment often ending in death to one or the other.
Rising Grom Asia Braithwaite
There are those young athletes that get into sport who possess natural talent, even the X-factor, yet as the road is usually a far-too-easy passage, they either take it for granted or don’t push beyond their capabilities.
Licence To Score
The adventures behind the wheel of Mount Grom Luke Griffin.
Land Of The Long Lefts
It was the year 1966 and the sport of surfing was sweeping the world.
Theshapeshifter - Roger Hall
Ever heard of a Mini Simmons?
The Road Less Travelled
Take a look at a map of our coastline and you will see thousands of kilometres of coastline, 15,000 to be almost exact, making it the 9th longest in the world.
Then & Now
It was the early 80s and the world of sport was evolving rapidly.
