Derek Morrison

Event Wrap: Sticky Johnson 2020 Primary School Champs

Derek MorrisonSep 27, 2020July 25, 20240

The rush to defeat the storm bearing down on New Zealand this weekend, made for an action packed day of surfing at the Sticky Johnson 2020 Primary School Championships presented by Skullcandy on Saturday (26th September). The champs, held at Makorori Beach, Gisborne, was the first national event since the...

Watch: Ben Young. Sculptor. Surfer

Derek MorrisonSep 25, 20200

Carving a niche at the intersection between glass and concrete, artist and sculptor Ben Young has become world renowned for his incredible artworks. Originally from Waihi Beach and now based in Mount Maunganui, Ben is an extraordinary talent and one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet....

Watch: Flightless Obsession

Derek MorrisonSep 20, 2020July 25, 20240

Flightless Obsession features New Zealand’s elite surfers such as provisional Olympic qualifiers Billy Stairmand and Ella Williams along with dozens of the country’s best surfers in a scrapbook-style edit. It is the first crowd-sourced surf movie that Surfing New Zealand has embarked upon to showcase local talent. It has been...

Five Minutes With: Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings

Derek MorrisonSep 16, 2020December 12, 20220

New Zealand Surf Journal catches up with Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings to discuss broken backs, new constitutions, the Olympic pathway and to find out what he’d do if he had full control of the sport and no resource limitations. The top role at Surfing New Zealand is certainly not...

Watch: Paige Alms, Eli Olson Win Big Wave Paddle Awards

Derek MorrisonSep 11, 2020July 25, 20240

Paige Alms and Eli Olson win Biggest Wave Paddle-In Award at the World Surf League 2020 Red Bull Big Wave Awards. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this year’s Big Wave Awards (BWA) honour the best in big wave surfing from the past 12 months, from big-wave breaks throughout the world. Justine...

Maya Gabeira Wins Big Wave Awards With Guinness World Record Ride

Derek MorrisonSep 11, 2020July 25, 20240

Maya Gabeira sets a new Guinness World Record for the largest wave ever surfed by a female as she wins XXL Biggest Wave Award. Gabeira’s record-setting wave measured 73.5 feet, besting her own previous World Record of 68 feet. She broke the record at the infamous big-wave surf break, Praia...

Watch: Lost Track, A Surf Adventure Through New Zealand

Derek MorrisonSep 10, 20200

Lost Track follows two Byron Bay mates surfer Torren Martyn and filmmaker Ishka Folkwell as they embark on the journey of a lifetime throughout New Zealand in search of perfect waves and life long memories. Their three-month motorcycle surfing adventure takes them into the depths of our great southern land...

World Surf League In Pre-Season Countdown Mode With Charity Events

Derek MorrisonSep 3, 2020July 25, 20240

World Surf League bridges the competition abyss caused by Covid-19 with its pre-season Countdown events. Upcoming competitions will take place in Australia, France, Portugal and Brazil, with nothing on the cards yet for New Zealand’s World Qualifying Series surfers. The idea of these WSL contests is to bring world-class competitive...

Owen Rooney Interviews New Zealand Surf Journal Founder, Derek Morrison

Derek MorrisonSep 1, 2020September 3, 20200

Truckie turned radio host, Owen Rooney, sits down with New Zealand Surf Journal founder Derek Morrison to discuss Covid-19, business and how his new Toyota Highlander is helping drive the brand through uncertain times. This interview first appeared in a live broad cast on Owen Rooney’s Radio Dunedin breakfast show....

New Zealand Surf Journal Scores New Toyota Highlander

Derek MorrisonSep 1, 2020July 25, 20240

New Zealand Surf Journal lands a tidy new Toyota Highlander and $10,000 media package through the Toyota and Mediaworks Small Business Driver promotion. Designed to help businesses who suffered as Covid-19 took its grip on New Zealand in March and April, the Small Business Driver was created by Mediaworks and...