2012 Jucy/NMD South Island Bodyboard Champs

After Friday being a lay day due to terrible weather and onshore winds the 2012 Jucy/NMD South Island Bodyboard Champs Kicked of at 7am Saturday 19th October at St Kilda beach Dunedin. 

This event was the last event on the newly restructured BBSNZ National Tour, and there were quite a few national titles on the line that would be decided in Dunedin.  The competitors were greeted with a nicely groomed swell from the SE direction and perfect offshore winds, waves were in the 3-4ft range and looking sick! After a quick briefing on the conditions and the competition format the first of the riders hit the water.


Up first was the Jucy Open Men’s division. All the competitors were keen to hit the water with some pumping waves on offer! Showing some early form was Ben McPaike (Greymouth) with a solid projected forward spin off the lip. Hot on his heels with arguably the wave of the comp was Jeremy Gantley (Dunedin) he lucked into a solid 4ft wedge which gave him a very deep tube which he came screaming out of and boosted a roll off of the next section, unfortunately he didn't stick the landing but he still scored high with the judges. Gavin Murdoch came out of the woodwork after shifting to Dunedin from Auckland and put on his fins for his first heat in 5 years, he quickly showed he hasn't lost any of his skill, picking of a couple of sick tubes. The other standout was Jolan Kilkelly (Greymouth) he went on to take out his heat with a couple of high scoring rides.

The NMD Dropknee division was up next. The riders set to contest this were Jolan Kilkelly (Greymouth), Ben McPaike (Greymouth), Rob Smith (UK /Dunedin) and Benjamin Hodgson (Chch). Jolan Kilkelly (Greymouth) started the heat strong with a couple of good right handers, one wave he managed a huge hacking cutback which wasn't completed but it still got everyone talking. Ben Hodgson (Chch) got a nice left hand wave which he did a couple of smooth turns on but it was Rob Smith (UK/Dunedin) that took out the final one wave in particular he managed to produce 3 solid, fast turns which scored high with the judges. Second place was dark horse Ben Hodgson (Chch), third Ben Mcpaike (Greymouth) and 4th went to Jolan Kilkelly (Greymouth).

Next to hit the water was the Surfers Skin U18 final and the Mountain Dew Open Women’s final both went out together because of low numbers (due in part to the terrible forecast) and because they were all from the same family!! The Vujcich's drove all the way from Napier for this event, which was a superb effort from a keen bodyboarding family!! In the Surfers Skin Under 18's we had Chris Vujcich, Alan Vujcich, and Charles Vujcich. In the Mountain Dew Open Women’s was their Mum Marguerite Vujcich. All 4 went out and traded waves for the 30 minute final, all of them showing that they have come a long way in their first year of competition, very pleasing to see!! Taking out the Surfers Skin U18's was Charles, second went to Chris and 3rd went to Alan, and Marguerite took out the Mountain Dew Open Women’s. It is great to see this commitment from the Vujcich clan and we hope to see them back in the years to come!

With the conditions looking at their best the call was made to put the Jucy Open Men’s division out for their final. Ben McPaike (Greymouth) came out charging and got a good first wave under his belt with a cutback to forward spin finished off with a reverse resulting in a good score for the combo. Gavin Murdoch (Dunedin) also started strong with a nice tube on a left-hander. Jeremy Gantley couldn't get into the right spot through the final with his earlier cramp possibly making a comeback. It was Jolan Kilkelly (Greymouth) though who stole the show with a couple of good waves to snatch a very narrow victory of 0.2 from fellow West coaster Ben McPaike (Greymouth) Gavin Murdoch (Dunedin) took third place and Jeremy Gantley (Dunedin) took fourth.



The Seventhwave Senior Men were up next in what was to be the last heat of the day. These are old guys of the bodyboarding scene in NZ and to enter this division you need to be 28 or older at the start of the year. Jolan Kilkelly (Greymouth) and Gavin Murdoch (Dunedin) stayed out in the water from the final of the Jucy Open Men’s both looked quite tired but battled on. The conditions had changed a bit by this stage with the tide dropping and a very light sea breeze coming up. It was local boy Aiden Dixon (Dunedin) That managed to sneak away with victory followed very closely by new local Gavin Murdoch (Dunedin) with Jolan Kilkelly (Greymouth) in third and Brad Dennison (Timaru) in fourth place.

The Dunedin event is always held in the memory of local bodyboarder Dion Wells who sadly passed a number of years back. Unfortunately another local bodyboarder in Dan Wadsworth was also lost to us in the past 12 months and both guys were on our minds throughout the event. Our respects to both of their families and may Dion and Dan both be eternally barreled and hitting perfect ramps on the other side.
 

A big thank you to all that helped make this event possible especially the sponsors:

Jucy
NMD
Surfers Skin
Seventh Wave
Isolated
Mountain Dew

Results:

Jucy Open Men:

1st Jolan Kilkelly (Greymouth)

2nd Ben Mcpaike (Greymouth)

3rd Gavin Murdoch (Dunedin)

4th Jeremy Gantley (Dunedin)

NMD Dropknee:

1st Rob Smith (UK/Dunedin)

2nd Ben Hodgson (Chch)

3rd Ben Mcpaike (Greymouth)

4th Jolan Kilkelly (Greymouth)

Surfers Skin U18:

1st Charles Vujcich (Napier)

2nd Chris Vujcich (Napier)

3rd Alan Vujcich (Napier)

Seventh Wave Senior Men:

1st Aiden Dixon (Dunedin)

2nd Gavin Murdoch (Dunedin)

3rd Jolan Kilkelly (Greymouth)

4th Brad Dennison (Timaru)

Mountain Dew Open Women:

1st Marguerite Vujcich (Napier)

Tour dates for 2013

Canterbury Kiteboard Championship

Competitors in the Canterbury Kiteboard Champs - January 2013

The 2013 Canterbury Kiteboarding Champs got off to a great start with 30 riders turning up to entertain the crowd with their electrifying riding ability. The competition was held on the weekend of the 26th and 27th of January.

Saturday was warm and clear but not much wind so it was time for a SUP race (Stand Up Paddle board), Aaron Smith set a blistering pace while Dave from Australia found it easier going in reverse.
A bit of wind came through so the juniors were sent out for their contest where Jae Smith, aged 11 managed to beat Ethan Waitoa aged 10, both riders putting on a good display.
Next up party time- (Nathan and Ariana put on a dam good do, cheers guys).

Sunday started slowly for a few but by lunchtime the wind had picked up to 15 knots, and it was racing time. Tim Stockman showing his skills by claiming first place. By the end of the race the wind had picked up to 18 knots, enough to get the freestyle contest underway. All contestants throwing down tricks of the highest level to determine the Canterbury champion.
The prize giving, held at the Speights Ale House rounded up the weekend with the entrants getting the pick of the fantastic prizes supplied by our sponsors.



Congratulations to Fenella Mills who won the ASP kiteboard. Thanks to all the riders for some great entertainment, everyone who helped in setting up and running of the contest and the judges for their amazing effort.

A BIG thanks to the sponsors for their awesome support of this event.
-ASP Kiteboards
-Groundswell Sports
-Kitesports
-Seventhwave Wetsuits
- Duke Sunglasses
-CWA
-Speights Ale House

Results
Open: Jackson Mills (1), Martin Harris (2), Anthony Hopkins (3)

Women: Jo Brody (1), Kim Bunt (2), Britta Kappel (3)

Masters: Jonas Egnelius (1), Scoota (2), Alex Bec (3)

Legends: Blair Cookie (1), Karl Soulos (2), Aaron Smith (3)

Juniors: Anthony Hopkins (1), Jae Smith (2), Ethan Waitoa (3)

Race: Tim Stockman (1), Mike Dibb (2), John Thyne (3), Martin Harris (4), Craig Knights (5)

SUP: Aaron 2:09, Cookie 2:22, Mike 2:31, Karl 2:38, Nathen 2:38

SUP Woman: Ariana, Alisha, Arvene
________________________________________________________________________________


From more information about any club events or to join check the website at www.cwa.org.nz 

New Plymouth Traditional Longboard Festival 2012

The poor conditions continued at Fitzroy beach on day 2

Classic West coast conditions greeted competitors at last years Dillon Walsh memorial Longboard festival held over labour weekend 2012.

Here's the highlights from Day One, held in below average conditions at Fitzroy Beach, New Plymouth, New Zealand.

The miserable weather and onshore conditions didn't dampen any spirits and the BBQ and bar was open both days, keeping competitors well fed and hydrated. The DWM contest/Longboard festival is a social affair, with an emphasis on having a good time. One member of the Christchurch tag team was in such good spirits he surfed his leg of the tag team starkers, it must have worked as the Christchurch team dominated.

Results:

TEAM TAG - Christchurch (1), New Plymouth (2), Orewa (3).

MYSTERY FINAL - Johnny Mac (1), Darren Smith (2), Mike Martin (3), Simon Martin (4).

WOMEN'S FINAL - Michelle Hartley (1), Robyn Cox (2), Danielle Walsh (3), Nam Northcott (4).

OPEN FINAL - Matty Walsh (1), Ant McColl (2), Dylan Barnfield (3), Duncan Cameron (4).

DEL INVINCIBLE BOARD WINNER - Darryn McBride.

 

Video highlights from day one

 

SheSurfs Wetsuit review 2012

Earlier this year we made a Custom Sandy X-Over for Hayley from SheSurfs in Sydney, AUS.

Here's what she has to say about the suit, the design processs, and what she thinks of us here at Seventhwave. 

Creating your own wetsuit is a pretty cool thing to be able to do. To choose your own colours, cut and style is usually something only pro surfers get to do.
With Seventhwave you actually have the ability to set yourself up in a Custom suit. They have a huge colour selection for you to choose from which allows you to create the perfect wetsuit for you! Panels can be mixed and matched to suit your own personal taste.
For me I wanted a spring suit as its starting to warm up ad I wanted some bright fluro colors to match the season. I chose the Sandy X-Over short john and asked for slightly shorter legs (as I'm a shorty), I grabbed some colored pencils and a blank piece of paper and started trying to decide on what concoction I wanted (this was the fun bit)

Once I had decided on the colour and design I had to get measured up so the guys and girls at Seventhwave could make the suit up to fit me snug as a bug in a  rug! I recruited my Mum to help with the process, which was very easy. Just measured up my limbs torso etc and filled out the custom form and I was set  to go.
I emailed the forms and my colour choice off and got a reply straight away saying that my suit would be with me in 10 days, easy!! YEWWWW!

Photo from http://mikalawilbow.com/

I was so excited I was going to be getting a wetsuit that no-one else had. It got delivered within 8 days and I took the morning off work and ran home and jumped straight in the suit falling in love with my retro inspired colours and the way the suit felt on me.
Wearing this custom Hayley suit makes me happy and surfing makes me happy so put the two together and I am one SUPER happy surfer girl!! It's super warm for a spring suit so its going to be perfect for early morning sessions this spring.
I fully recommend this process to any girl who wants to design their own wetsuit. The choices are endless and you will be guaranteed to get a suit that you love, that is original and that will fit you in a way that you never want to take it off.

Thanks Seventhwave, you guys are very clever and an absolute pleasure to deal with.

LEARN TO SURF

The Learn to Surf surf school has been providing a range of surf lessons and water safety instruction for over 10 years. It is owned and operated by one of the most experienced surfing and bodyboard instructors in the business: Aaron Lock. Aaron soon found it was the perfect job for someone with a healthy surfing addiction, as coaching allowing him to spend maximum time in the water.
 

 Aaron has over 27 years surfing experience with many competition titles to his name, recently taking out the Masters Division in the 2012 Cape Classic. He has been coaching full-time since taking over the school and is fully qualified, with an International Surf Association (ISA) Level 1 and New Zealand Level 2 coaching certifications.
Aaron also plays a critical role in the Canterbury Scholastics Surf Team, with many years of coaching and managing the team. He is also regularly involved in judging local and National Surf competition as a Level 1 ISA surf judge.You can find the Learn to Surf van on the corner of the Esplanade and Stoke St in Sumner, a picturesque surf beach 20 minutes from the centre of Christchurch. Despite the February 2011 earthquake closing Sumner and other local beaches for 8 months (due to sewerage overflow) and forcing the surf school to relocate to the less affected beaches of Taylors Mistake and Waikuku, the ocean is now clean and Sumner is open again for play.
The waves in Sumner are gentle rollers, which is ideal for beginners. There are other beaches nearby (Taylors, Brighton, or even Waikuku) providing a good alternative if the conditions aren't appropriate on the day.

Learn to Surf offers a range of surf lesson package deals to help perfect your surfing style. Any skill level is welcome—from beginner to advanced, they have you covered. Also on the menu are bodyboard and longboard lessons, corporate/team building, surf safe (an introduction to water safety), kids parties and primary and intermediate school lessons.
All necessary gear is provided for the day, namely soft top surfboards and 3/2 Seventhwave wetsuits. Lessons are two hours—the first half hour is on the beach, outlining safety and techniques; you then head to the water to practice the real thing. After the lesson, all gear is available for a further two hours to play in the water and practice everything you've learnt.

Main group sessions start around October and finish in May, but don't worry if you have missed out because private lessons are available all year round.
Beginner Learn to Surf classes cost $70 (this includes all the gear you'll need, a bargain for 4 hours of surfing!).

For the full price list: http://www.surfcoach.co.nz/programmes.htm 
So if you're in the South Island and thinking about learning to surf, surf your way to the website or give Aaron a call.
www.surfcoach.co.nz
0800 80 SURF (0800 80 7873)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/surfcoachconz

MOSA awarded in Westport to Hugh Ritchie

Hugh Ritchie (Center) circa 2007 at St Clair, Dunedin

The annual Cape Classic Surfing Competition was held over Labour weekend at Tauranga Bay in Westport. The weather and surf forecast for the weekend was terrible, with strong winds, rain and massive surf being predicted. As it turned out (typical Westcoast style) it was nice and sunny all weekend. The surf was big out the back but breaking into the bay at a nice 3-4 ft with good left and right handers, perfect for competition.

Hugh Ritchie from North Wai Boardriders took out the Seventhwave Most Outstanding Surfer Award (MOSA) this year. At 19 years old, Hugh has been competing on the SISA surfing circuit since he was just a little grommet (one of the original three little pigs!). He was outstanding over the weekend and firing on all cylinders. Hugh made three finals, won the Longboard division, got 2nd in the Junior U20's and was 4th in the Open Mens. Showing his outstanding skills in both long and short board disciplines. Congratulations Hugh.

The rivals all weekend for the award were dominated by the letter H.
Hugh Ritchie, Harrison Whiteside and Hayden Brain were all surfing well and in contention for the MOSA award. Matt McRory took recognition and fame for the most and best wipeouts.

Next Chance to win a MOSA will be at the Go for Gold Surfing Contest in Greymouth in February 2013. [details here]
What is the MOSA award and criteria? [Find out here]

Xanthe Bowater: Competition Wrap Up

With the Worlds over Seventhwave ambassador  Xanthe Bowater is preparing to head home. She was part of the Under 17 Girls, which had 70 competitors they were randomly split in half early in the competition.

Following three days of grading races she missed out on the top fleet by three places. Xanthe windsurfed better than she ever has and finished with a result of Second Place in the Silver fleet and 37th overall, which is a good and realistic result considering her unfortunate ankle injury just before the event.

On her return home Xanthe will be getting her head into her books to catch up on some of the study and school work she has missed out on. But will be looking to her program for the next 12 months soon, with the results from the regatta giving her good grounds to work from.

We are very proud to have been able to help her on her journey and of Xanthe's great results. We look forward to seeing more from her in the future.

 Xanthe also has support from the following companies:

• Groundswell    
• Contours
• SkullCandy
• Carl Taylor Homes
• ATF Fencing
• ASP Engineering LTD
• Naval Point Yacht Club Lyttelton
• Mitre 10 Mega Ferrymead
• House of Travel Marivale
• Koller & Koller
• Rotary International
• Kiwanis International
• Leighs Construction

Xanthe Bowater: update from across the globe

Late last month Seventhwave ambassador Xanthe Bowater left for Europe to compete in the 2012 Techno World Championships in the Netherlands. We have received some updates from Xanthe on her travels and experiences so far and she seems to be having a great time.

Starting her trip in Poland, she was entered in a regatta with some of the best sailors in the world at a Windsurfing Club/Hotel/Restaurant with a great setup for boards and small yachts, Xanthe was really impressed with the Learning programs, Hire and racing course.

While there the wind  didn't get over 5-6 knots which was a good and bad. Good as she had only had her plaster cast taken off her ankle from a hockey injury a week before, so she could ease herself back into windsurfing without putting too much pressure on it. Bad because she had to do a lot more physical pumping of her sail.

With three days of European sailing experience behind her, Xanthe was disappointed with how she went, but taking part in the regatta helped her in getting back regatta fitness in a great environment.

Xanthe and her father were loaned two brand new RS boards to train on, so they stayed in Sopot for a few more days to get some more training in and get her fitness levels back up. 

She seems to be enjoying the European summer, and the challenge of competing and training with some of the best European sailors in  her class. It's a great chance for her to compare her skills and experiences.

From Poland the Bowater family travelled to Medemblik, Netherlands, where the World Champs will be held. They had an interesting journey getting there, with flat tyre's, stomach bugs, and accommodation muck ups, but arrived in the end, with some added sight seeing in there for good measure.

Xanthe is now back on her own board, and has training with some of the Brazilian, Hong Kong, Singaporean and Brazilian teams under her belt.

It's been good for her to see what she will be up against but Xanthe was looking forward to the rest of the New Zealand team arriving in the following days.

With the Regatta started we are looking forward to our next update from Xanthe with her results.

Glad to hear you are having fun and learning lots Xanthe, thanks for keeping us updated and we are looking forward to hearing more.

Xanthe also has support from the following companies:

• Groundswell    
• Contours
• SkullCandy
• Carl Taylor Homes
• ATF Fencing
• ASP Engineering LTD
• Naval Point Yacht Club Lyttelton
• Mitre 10 Mega Ferrymead
• House of Travel Marivale
• Koller & Koller
• Rotary International
• Kiwanis International
• Leighs Construction  

Explosions in the deep: how Daniel Kereopa survived Papatowai

Photo: photomarkstevenson.com

Remember that explosion of a wave at Papatowai back in 2006? We'd almost forgotten... until we were reminded by the latest issue of free surf magazine Smorgasboarder, which is dedicated to surf travel and includes a feature on surfing big waves in Dunedin. As you know the whole deep south of the South Island is wave rich, especially the Catlin's Papatowai—a break exposed to the full force of the Southern Ocean. This right-hand reef break has a massive steep ledge takeoff, followed by a 300 meter ride that starts working at 10ft and can easily reach 30ft plus.

After the Smorgasboarder team had contacted us about being in the magazine, we thought of that nutty wave. For it was at Papatowai back in 2006 that Daniel Kereopa—then sponsored by Seventhwave—stroked into what was called 'New Zealand's biggest paddle-in wave', earning him the cover of Kiwi Surf and the Oakley/ASL $25,000 Big Wave Award (for non-jetski assist). "I just paddled and paddled, it didn't let me in that easy as the wind was offshore" recalles Daniel about his 42ft (13m) wave. "I got over the ledge and felt the board go and held my line. That was definitely one of the best surfing days I've ever experienced." 


Captured by numerous photographers, none better than Mark Stevenson who was shooting from the water for a number of hours, had the best position and  the angle for the bomb wave. It was an incredible day. It was world-class and as good as [Hawaii's] Waimea Bay when it's been pumping.


Daniel had been out in snow-lined, 7-8˚C waters for over 7 hours. How did he survive? In one of our early MAX models, built with an attached hood for the occasion. We thought we'd give Dan a call after all these years to ask him how his MAX fared:

“That day was the first time I put on my purpose-built MAX and nerves were running high. I'd chosen red for safety, just in case I'd die or something (laughs). With attached hood, gloves and booties—and the adrenaline pumping—I didn't feel the cold at all. I was out paddling for over 7 hours. The custom-fit meant I wasn't restricted at all, allowing me to paddle into the bigger ones. In fact I still wear that wetsuit today on the really cold days: that's the mark of a quality wetsuit.”

The MAX was put through its paces in some of the hardest conditions around, and passed with flying colours. Since then we've tinkered and tailored the hooded MAX into the trusty model it is today, including the versatile interchangeable hood option.

MAX 4/3 with interchangeable hood. click here for more info

Kiwi champ off to the 2012 TECHNO 293 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Meet Xanthe Bowater, 16 year old windsurfer from Lyttelton. Brought up in a sailing family so yachting is certainly strongly in Xanthe’s genes. She has been racing dinghies since she was eight years of age and commenced windsurfing shortly after. She is the only South Island windsurfer competing in National course racing events, and one of only a handful of top young Female Windsurfers in New Zealand.
 

Xanthe entered in her first competition at 13 and won the North Island title that same year. The following year she was Nationals under 15 champion then kicked off her International career, competing in New Caledonia, and taking a podium position at just 14 years old.

In 2011 Xanthe headed over to San Francisco with six other keen young windsurfers to represent New Zealand at the Techno 293 World Champs.

Her results for the last season have been impressive, achieving top places in every competition she enters. This is her first season in slalom racing; she won the Canterbury Championships Junior event and was the youngest female competitor of the Nationals. Winning both the New Zealand and Oceanic under 17 titles and the prized Kendall cup series earlier this year Xanthe is definitely a name to watch.

In August she will be joining the International Competition once again travelling to the Netherlands to compete in the 2012 Techno World Championships. Whilst over there she is hoping to get extra training in with some of the European teams and also race in the Baltic regatta, Poland.

Having Windsurfing dropped from The Olympics this year has been a big blow but Xanthe has adopted a really positive attitude, focusing her attention on the World Championships and the other six competitions she has over the next seven months (which include another crack at the Australian Youth trials and Down Under Series).

She will also be competing to retain the Kendall Cup once again next year, competing in six regattas during the New Zealand sailing season.

Xanthe is heavily involved in her home club, Naval Point Club Lyttelton, playing a major part in the promotion of Windsurfing as a fun and competitive sailing option. She has been helping alongside local Windsports club, Windsurf New Zealand and Yachting New Zealand to make this happen, obviously seriously committed to the sport! She is now into her second season of teaching ‘Learn to Windsurf’ at the club, loving introducing children and adults to the sport that means so much to her, as well as helping out at the Club and Estuary as much as she can.

We are delighted to support Xanthe, and have her as part of the Seventhwave team.


Xanthe also has support from the following companies:

• Groundswell    
• Contours
• SkullCandy
• Carl Taylor Homes
• ATF Fencing
• ASP Engineering LTD
• Naval Point Yacht Club Lyttelton
• Mitre 10 Mega Ferrymead
• House of Travel Marivale
• Koller & Koller
• Rotary International
• Kiwanis International
• Leighs Construction  

2012 TECHNO 293 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - 11th to 18th August 2012
International Sailing Center Medemblik, Netherlands