Yes, but luckily a tide of public, iwi and local business support saw the proposed development, which was getting fast-tracked by the National Government, shelved.

Correct! Paige contested the WCT from 2009 through to 2014 and then again in 2018 and 2019. She is New Zealand's most successful surfer ever.

Yes, a measly block of wax ... luckily it didn't put him off. That was 1988 and he now runs a swarm of stores right through New Zealand.

Yes, Nuku was paid by Insight to free surf through Australia in the early 2000s. According to his contract surf contest appearances were completely optional and at his discretion.

Yes! Hydro Surf Shop was started by Rod Rust and Katherine Greer in 1985.

Savvy! Cory Scott has won the New Zealand National Fly Fishing Championship 11 times and represented New Zealand six times at the World Fly Fishing Championships. These days he guides professionally.