January 2020 - New Zealand Surf Journal

Westport Pumps For South Island Grom Series

Derek MorrisonJan 21, 2020July 2, 20200

When the West Coast of the South Island is becalmed by an enormous high there is no better place to be than Westport’s Tauranga Bay. With a 1 to 1.4m long-period swell pulsing through and a grom comp about to unleash on the T Bay Superbank, there’s a lot to...

10 Best Moments From The 2020 Nationals

Derek MorrisonJan 13, 2020July 2, 20201

With a forecast about as diabolical as you can get for a Dunedin summer the Health 2000 2020 Nationals had it all: early exits, upsets, elation and the emergence of two new champions. Here are our 10 best moments from it all. The Gathering of the Tribe There are few...

Elliot Paerata-Reid & Ava Henderson Win 2020 NZ Surfing Nationals

Derek MorrisonJan 11, 2020July 2, 20200

Piha surfer Elliot Paerata-Reid has claimed the 2020 National Open Surfing Title after a thrilling final battle with seven-time and defending champion, Billy Stairmand. In the women’s, 14-year-old Ava Henderson rose to the top with a polished performance to take her first open title. [gallery masterslider=”true” link=”none” thumbs=”false” caption=”false” skin=”ms-skin-minimal”...

Super Heat: Inside The 2020 New Zealand Surf Open (Unofficial)

Derek MorrisonJan 10, 2020October 14, 20201

The 2020 New Zealand Surf Open (Unofficial) is the impulsive gathering of New Zealand’s best surfers at a break that is completely pumping. It is unscripted. It has no rules. It has no timeframes. And no parameters. Just 40, or so, of the best surfers in New Zealand over a...

Photo Essay: Summer Roadie With A Twist Of East Swell

Derek MorrisonJan 7, 20200

Mount Maunganui-based surfer and ocean photographer Lou Burton mixes Xmas and New Year with a little pulsing east swell for the perfect summer tonic. Together with her mates she proves the great Kiwi summer surfing roadie is alive and well … with an occasional shark scare thrown in. Christmas came...