Worse for wear at Worser Bay

Seventhwave recently got behind the Worser Bay Boat Club Hebtro Trophy Day, held in Wellington. Once again the weather turned on one heck of a show, as Maurice Scott writes:

Over the twenty one years of Hebtro Trophy Day we have struck atrocious weather that has forced the cancellation of the key feature, the keelboat race, on only three or four occasions. Fortunately we have become rather adept at working around this and such was the case this year. Extended talks by our two special guests Dr Lyndall Patterson and Andrew Fagan (see http://www.wbbc.org.nz), followed by an extensive auction, and then a series of three races for parents in their children’s Optimist Dinghies all contributed to a successful and entertaining day, despite the weather – suffice to say there was a fair amount of carnage in the Optimist races!

The Toxicity of Surfing...

http://www.greensurfshop.com/surfing-infographic/

13-year-old Xavier Campbell wins MOSA #3

The Seventhwave Most Outstanding Surfer Award (MOSA) had another first recently, with the award being taken out by Xavier Campbell at the 2012 Canterbury Champs. The 13-year-old's outstanding surfing—noticeably improved and honed through the summer season—makes Xavier our youngest winner, and highlights the depth of skill coming up through the South Island ranks.

Indeed, Xavier had to fight of a host of other groms nipping at his heels for the award, especially Nick Takarama and Jack Wilson. These guys have obviously been practicing, and a friendly competitive rivalry has seen the overall level of youth surfing develop in leaps and bounds.

Seventhwave has always supported up-and-coming groms, so we're stoked to see Xavier take out MOSA #3. Will it be another grom at the Nationals in Dunedin this weekend?

2012 New Zealand Police Association Surf Champs

A few shots from the 8th Annual NZPA Surf Champs, held in Kaikoura. Click on a pic to enlarge.

All SEWN up in Sumner

Close to one hundred happy film-goers turned up to Sumner's iconic Hollywood cinema last Friday to witness the first New Zealand longboarding film in over a decade: SEWN. The fact that only three seats were left in the theatre is a testament to the buzz this movie has created, and viewers weren't disappointed. After an introduction from film maker Nicolas Brikke, we were treated to a well paced, well edited and interesting documentary canvasing four corners of the North Island and a few hand-picked inhabitants.

There was a good balance of storytelling and surfing, and both were interesting in their own right. Nicholas had done a lot of work getting to know the interviewee's and earning their respect, and you could tell. Humour, birth, belonging, place, community—all themes that were skillfully investigated without being forced, and which left us wanting to know more. Indeed, the film could have been slightly longer without losing our attention, a nod to the year's worth of editing. The surfing — a range of waves and different boards, all ridden with a different twist — was great to watch, and was reinforced with some memorable quotes on the nature of board ridding, and what it actually means to ride a longboard. Surfers? Tanner and Lillis' styles shone through in this one, but all surfers had a more than enjoyable section.

Coupled with the personalism and surfing footage was a decent dose of kiwiana — scenery shots, indigenous perspectives, and a home grown soundtrack (featuring the Phoenix Foundation and others). The result? SEWN is a great documentary that should be watched by longboarders and the non-surfer alike. Think Endless Summer appeal but in a New Zealand context; the kind of movie you could show the entire whanau without getting bored yourself.

After Q&A with Brikke, the night ended with an after party at The Thirsty Mariner, where punters enjoyed beers and bonus features from the film. Favourites were the wipeouts, the timelaspe segment, and Roger Hall's wooden surfboard process.

If you missed this live, then be sure to grab yourself the DVD. You won't be disappointed.

Winter blues? ISOmag wetsuit review

It's a fact many of us don't want to hear, but nonetheless, winter is on its way. Yet with the cold comes better waves and less crowds, especially in the South Island. It also means it's winter wetsuit season. To get you in a better mood about the chilly climate ahead, here's a 2011 review of the MAX 3/3 GS ZB Steamer from ISOmag, New Zealand's premier bodyboarding magazine. [Click image to enlarge]

Paige Hareb: testing our X-Over across the ditch

When Paige Hareb—kiwi World Tour surfing competitor and all around good sort—contacted us about trying out some Seventhwave gear, we didn't have to think twice. Before jumping on a plane to Australia for the Pro events of 2012, Paige did a quick measure up and sent us in her measurements. We made sure our X-Over Short John and a few other goodies were on the next flight via Lynne Dickinson of Pacific Media [Curl Magazine]. "I really love the blue and pink short john and how it looks at the back without a zip etc, very cool!!" wrote Paige. "Awesome!" Our lightweight rubber obviously helped her get off the ground in that second shot...

Unfortunately Paige has just fallen short of the Quaters at the ROXY event at Snapper Rocks, but she now heads to Bells Beach for event number two of the circuit. Seventhwave wish her all the best for the rest of 2012!

Most Outstanding Surfer Award: Dave Watkins takes Gold in Greymouth

The Seventhwave Most Outstanding Surfer Award (MOSA) is proving to be popular with the South Island Circuit competitors. At the Westport Cape Classic Anthony Hema took out the Grand Prize of a customised wetsuit of his choosing, and punters were poised for another round of judging in Greymouth.

Held over Waitangi Weekend, the waves on offer at Cobden meant many contenders were in the running. In the end, it was Dave Watkins who pipped James Washer and Sam Sands for the second-ever MOSA award. His outstanding surfing was a step up in personal performance, and he was unlucky not to progress further (incurring an interference in the Seniors). Hopefully a customised suit is some consolation.

Next up: the Canterbury Champs in March.

Kahuna Boardrider's 30th Anniversary of the Go For Gold

The ‘Go For Gold’ surfing contest is held annually by the Kahuna Boardriders club as part of the South Island Surfing Circuit. 2012 marked a proud milestone for the club, who have been combining friendly West Coast hospitality and amazing surf locations for a whopping 30 years! And 2012 was no different, with fun waves, collective camaraderie and surfing stoke on offer for competitors and spectators alike

Eleven events—including a special invitational for past winners and significant VIP’s from the club history—plus Kahuna's 31st Reunion, brought a great crowd of friends and family together over Waitangi weekend. JC Susan took out the Men's Open, but thanks to the hospitality of Kahuna Boardrider's, everyone was a winner (as the cliche goes). Photos can be found on SISA's Facebook page, or at Jules Photography.

Another great aspect of the 2012 Go For Gold was the KBC Story Competition, which encouraged people to write down their thoughts, in order to help regain some of the Club’s history. There were some great stories read aloud on Reunion night, but the winning entry was 'Cobden Tip', an emotive address by Simon Ashby who played tribute to those who were no longer with us:

COBDEN TIP

20 years I have known the Kahuna Board Riders

And in that time I have seen some funny things, and some awesome transformations of our club rooms.

The funniest time was when Gareth Royal's mum packed his lunch and he went surfing. Then Lewis, Cory, George and Andy ate it. He came back and punched Lewis in the nose. While Andy, Cory, George were having a good old laugh.

I remember one of the club members shaved off Gene's eyebrow and took all his clothes when he was pissed one night. The next morning as I was driving towards the club I saw Gene naked and running home! That's why I watch my back sometimes around here.
That was a funny sight!

Surfing is part of life, so is friendship, I call it stress-free living.

I have met and welcomed heaps of people at the Cobden tip over the years. I have used the sea for training young Brodie and now he's growing up to be our hopeful surfer with others like Nathan and Dion - I'm very proud of them.

The 'Vai Riders Cold Water' is a small competition, run by myself and the local team, the most awesome crew ever! They always support me, so many thanks to the Vai Riders.

And now?
I sit on the chair we made, watching the bright red sunset, and taking a moment, as tears run down my face, I ask myself questions, and say "I wish"

I wish Kane was here
I wish Gleno was here
I wish Toast was here
I wish Pete was here
I wish Callum was here
I wish Kylie Skeats was here
I wish my girlfreind was here to see what I've done,
I wish our fathers, mothers, brothers, & partners were here to see what we have done, that we've lost so much, in the past.

Just the cold offshore wind, makes it clear to me, of their presence.
I am so lucky to live here in Cobden and you all too, this is my home and yours.

I wish you all the best time tonight and welcome you all to the 31st Anniversary of Kahauna Boardriders.

Your's Simo

Thanks to Kahuna Boardrider's for their 30 years of hospitality and hard work. See you in 2013!

Meet our newest team rider...

Meet a very special Seventhwave ambassador, Hunter (Seventhwave) Thomson. In between chewing parking cones and tangling staff in lead, Hunter likes to hit his local spot, Lake Benmore—most summers he can be spotted charging there, wearing a custom-made buoyancy vest to match his boat. Hunter also likes bones and scraps of all kinds.