New Zealand is going to France with a full team

Source: Surfing New Zealand -www.surfingnz.co.nz-
Press release sent on February 2, 2008

Surfing New Zealand announced a twelve-strong team of surfers to attend the World Junior Championships being held in Le Penon Plage, France, from May 24 until June 1. The Kiwis will be competing in the biggest under 18 surfing tournament on the planet.

The 2008 New Zealand Junior Surfing Team is as follows:

Under 18 Boys
Eli Jacobs – Australia
Matt Hewitt – Mount Maunganui
Paco Divers – Sandy Bay
Ryan Hawker – Piha
Non travelling reserve - Sean Peggs – Tairua

Under 18 Women
Airini Mason – Queensland, Australia
Alexis Poulter – Raglan
Paige Hareb – Taranaki
Rosa Thompson – Auckland
Non travelling reserve - India Wray-Murane - Muriwai

Under 16 Boys
Alex Dive – Mount Maunganui
Blake Myers – Whangamata
Damien Norman – NSW, Australia
Johnny Hicks – Gisborne
Non travelling reserve - Tane Wallis – Auckland

The Kiwis competed in all the five Quiksilver ISA WJSC. In Durban 2003, the inaugural edition of the event, they placed 3rd, their best ever performance. Then, in Tahiti 2004, USA 2005 and Brazil 2006, they earned a 7th. Last year they won the Copper medal after placing 4th in the overall team positions.

New Zealand surfing is growing and they are ready for this event.


About International Surfing Association
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980. 

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since.  The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Maile Aguerre (Hawaii) and Mike Gerard (USA).

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