Derek Morrison

Elliot Paerata-Reid’s Wild Wild West: A Film By Jono Smit

Derek MorrisonJan 24, 2019January 24, 20190

Filmmaker Jono Smit and pro surfer Elliot Paerata-Reid team up for a Catlins strike mission only to have the rug pulled out from under them as the weather bomb flushes up the Tasman at the last minute. In an opportunistic stroke of madness they give chase along the West Coast...

Ariana Shewry Second At Sunset Pro Junior, Hawaii

Derek MorrisonJan 20, 2019February 8, 20190

If Oakura pro surfer Ariana Shewry was looking for a top start to her 2019 season then she nailed it today with a second place at the Women’s Sunset Pro Junior in Hawaii. One of Oahu’s most iconic competitive venues, Sunset Beach, delivered breezy, challenging conditions throughout the day with consistent...

Billy Stairmand Beats Ricardo Christie, Wins Seventh National Title

Derek MorrisonJan 13, 2019March 1, 20190

Billy Stairmand has beaten good friend Ricardo Christie to kick off 2019 in the best way possible claiming his seventh title at the Health 2000 National Surfing Championships completed at Stent Road in Taranaki today. Taranaki turned on another stellar day of surf and weather with clean 1.5m waves and...

Ricardo Christie vs Billy Stairmand: Taranaki Turns On For Health 2000 National Champs

Derek MorrisonJan 11, 2019March 1, 20190

Perfect Taranaki waves laid the platform for New Zealand’s top surfers as the contest whittled down to the semifinalists at the Health 2000 National Surfing Championships held at grunty Stent Road this week. The head-to-head battle between WQS regular Billy Stairmand and good friend and WCT qualifier for 2019, Ricardo...

Subantarctic Surf Discovery, Part 2: Enderby Island

Derek MorrisonJan 7, 2019July 2, 20200

Chasing waves on Enderby Island starts with getting to know the locals. They’re furry and blanket the place like lolling beach bums of the south. A little respect (and a lot of patience) will go a long way in this remote part of the Southern Ocean perched on the western...

Subantarctic Surf Discovery, Part 1: Campbell Island

Derek MorrisonDec 31, 2018December 31, 20180

Finding new waves on planet earth these days is a pretty tough ask. Sure the odd slab might be unearthed here and there, but the goalposts are well out on any significant discoveries. Especially here in New Zealand. So when I was given the chance to join an expedition voyage...

Between Heats With Billy Stairmand

Derek MorrisonDec 24, 20180

Jono Smit captures Billy Stairmand during some down time away from the pressure of the World Qualifying Series. Raglan’s favourite surfer has battled funding issues as he campaigns the toughest qualifying series in the world. Let’s hope 2019 brings him the breakthrough results he needs. Credits: Filmed by Jono Smit...

These Waters, Part One: A Film By Jono Smit

Derek MorrisonDec 24, 2018February 8, 20190

A classic film that follows the unscripted adventures of Jono Smit as he explores our southern coastline during the winter of 2015. “The idea behind all of this was to document winter through my eyes,” explains Jono Smit. “The road trips, the cold weather, the people.” “There are no pro...

Five Minutes With: Surfing Filmmaker Jonathan Smit

Derek MorrisonDec 24, 2018December 24, 20180

Surf filmmakers in New Zealand tend to be passionate creatives lured to surfing by the curiosity of a colourful culture. They shine a light on surfing that is often a beautiful as it is compelling. Christchurch and Gold Coast-based filmmaker Jonathan Smit epitomises this ethos. He turns the creative dial...

Making History With Paige Hareb

Derek MorrisonDec 12, 2018July 25, 20241

Paige Hareb is New Zealand’s most successful surfer and her achievements, as the World Surf League (WSL) season for 2018 come to a close, stand testament to her competitive character and determination. The 2018 season was her seventh year competing on the WSL Championship Tour and she was thrown every...