The New Zealand Home Loans Surf Festival resumed with the ASP 6-Star Qualifying Series Port Taranaki Pro. With precious rankings points and prize-money on offer, the action in the water was electric.
Surfers from 10 countries seeking Samsung Galaxy ASP Women's World Championship Tour (WCT) qualification took to the clean and pristine 3-foot (1 metre) surf as the event ran through three rounds of competition. The ASP Australasia Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) event, the Chain Resources Pro Junior, also ran through the remaining heats of Round 2 of the men's competition and Round 1 of the women's.
Sarah Mason (Gisborne, NZL), former ASP WCT surfer is looking to rejoin the Top 17 next year and is on track after a solid performance at Taranaki today. Mason advanced through to the next round in second position behind Isabella Nichols (AUS) in a very tight heat that had all four surfers going for broke and posting solid scores.
"Taranaki is where I caught my first wave so I love this place," Mason said. "I'm really glad that this event is now a QS. It offers so much opportunity to the local surfers and I'm just hoping to make the most of it so I can set myself up for the rest of the events this year. The level of surfing is really high and I'm just hoping I can keep getting through the draw."
Out the front and out the back. - WSL / Steve Robertson
Nichols took command of her opening two Taranaki heats, clocking the highest two-wave heat total of the day--16.10 out of a possible 10. Nichols patrolled the lineup and selected the biggest and best waves of the heat unloading a series of beautiful turns and carves.
"These are some of the best waves I've ever surfed in competition," Nichols said. "It's great to start the event with some big scores and now I move into the next round full of confidence."
2002 ASP Women's WCT No. 2 Jacqueline Silva (BRA) taught a trio of teenagers a lesson in her opening heat. Silva used her polished and professional approach to take the win with Tia Blanco (USA) also advancing. Lucy Callister (AUS) and Brianna Cope (HAW) were eliminated with third and fourth place finishes, respectively.
"The girls in this event all surf really good so you just need to make sure you catch the good waves and don't make any mistakes," Silva said.
Fitzroy Beach, Taranaki, NZ. - WSL / Steve Robertson
Sophia Bernard (Manly, NSW/AUS), winner of the Vahine Pro Junior in Tahiti two weeks ago, secured a spot for herself in the 48 left in the draw, amassing solid scores with big hooks and carves.
"The surf was pumping this morning, but it deteriorated a little for that second heat," Bernard said. "There's still some fun lefts you just have to be a little more selective."
Top 17 Women's WCT surfer and Taranaki local Paige Hareb (NZL) and reigning Junior Champion Ella Williams (NZL) will hit the water tomorrow alongside Bethany Hamilton (HAW), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Laura Enever (AUS) and a selection of the world's best female surfers.
For more information log on to Surffest.co.nz
New Zealand Home Loans Surf Festival is presented by TSB Community Trust, Venture Taranaki, ZM, Marbles Buffet and Devon Hotel
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NZ's Sarah Mason was one of the day's standouts
- WSL / Steve Robertson
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Hawaii's Moana Jones going big on her way to the next round
- WSL / Steve Robertson
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Jack Duggan winning his Round 4 Pro Junior heat
- WSL / Steve Robertson
Port Taranaki Pro Powers Through Three Rounds
WSL
The New Zealand Home Loans Surf Festival resumed with the ASP 6-Star Qualifying Series Port Taranaki Pro. With precious rankings points and prize-money on offer, the action in the water was electric.
Surfers from 10 countries seeking Samsung Galaxy ASP Women's World Championship Tour (WCT) qualification took to the clean and pristine 3-foot (1 metre) surf as the event ran through three rounds of competition. The ASP Australasia Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) event, the Chain Resources Pro Junior, also ran through the remaining heats of Round 2 of the men's competition and Round 1 of the women's.
Sarah Mason (Gisborne, NZL), former ASP WCT surfer is looking to rejoin the Top 17 next year and is on track after a solid performance at Taranaki today. Mason advanced through to the next round in second position behind Isabella Nichols (AUS) in a very tight heat that had all four surfers going for broke and posting solid scores.
"Taranaki is where I caught my first wave so I love this place," Mason said. "I'm really glad that this event is now a QS. It offers so much opportunity to the local surfers and I'm just hoping to make the most of it so I can set myself up for the rest of the events this year. The level of surfing is really high and I'm just hoping I can keep getting through the draw."
Nichols took command of her opening two Taranaki heats, clocking the highest two-wave heat total of the day--16.10 out of a possible 10. Nichols patrolled the lineup and selected the biggest and best waves of the heat unloading a series of beautiful turns and carves.
"These are some of the best waves I've ever surfed in competition," Nichols said. "It's great to start the event with some big scores and now I move into the next round full of confidence."
2002 ASP Women's WCT No. 2 Jacqueline Silva (BRA) taught a trio of teenagers a lesson in her opening heat. Silva used her polished and professional approach to take the win with Tia Blanco (USA) also advancing. Lucy Callister (AUS) and Brianna Cope (HAW) were eliminated with third and fourth place finishes, respectively.
"The girls in this event all surf really good so you just need to make sure you catch the good waves and don't make any mistakes," Silva said.
Sophia Bernard (Manly, NSW/AUS), winner of the Vahine Pro Junior in Tahiti two weeks ago, secured a spot for herself in the 48 left in the draw, amassing solid scores with big hooks and carves.
"The surf was pumping this morning, but it deteriorated a little for that second heat," Bernard said. "There's still some fun lefts you just have to be a little more selective."
Top 17 Women's WCT surfer and Taranaki local Paige Hareb (NZL) and reigning Junior Champion Ella Williams (NZL) will hit the water tomorrow alongside Bethany Hamilton (HAW), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Laura Enever (AUS) and a selection of the world's best female surfers.
For more information log on to Surffest.co.nz
New Zealand Home Loans Surf Festival is presented by TSB Community Trust, Venture Taranaki, ZM, Marbles Buffet and Devon Hotel
Port Taranaki Pro NZ Home Loans Surf Festival
Brasil's Silvana Lima defeated Australia's Laura Enever to claim victory in the 2014 Port Taranaki Pro part of the New Zealand Home Loans
Brazil's Silvana Lima takes a big win in New Zealand
Round 5 Highlights from the Port Taranaki Pro part of the 2014 New Zealand Home Loans Surf Festival held at Fitzroy Beach in Taranaki, New
Event winners, champions and Quarterfinalists decided in huge day of surfing at Taranaki
The Port Taranaki Pro, 6* Women's Qualifying Series (QS) event headlined day 3 action at the 2014 New Zealand Home Loans Surf Festival at
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