Source: Ben Kennings –Surfing New Zealand www.surfingnz.co.nz.

Educational
Surfing New Zealand has been working hard to increase the skill level of current judges and coaches on our rosters, based on thenew ISA accreditations.  We recently held an ISA judging course in the South Island which brought together 20 judges , willing to better their skill level by accepting new material. 

We have also held further coaching courses to accredit our level one Coaches.  The new accreditation along, with membership cards and international recognition has been very well received.  The new material and standardised surf school structure is proving to be very successful.

Environmental
Six of the countries top breaks may get protection as surfing reserves or national parks under the proposed Coastal Policy Statement that is currently being heard.  Breaks include Raglan, Maungamanu, Papatowai, Stent Road, White Rock and Ahipara.  Hearings on the Coastal Policy Statement finish mid December.  Submissions are also in for further breaks to be added to this list of the six.

Important Happenings
Surfing New Zealand recently held it’s AGM with several new members being elected on to the committee.  Bruce Scott remains as President of the organisation after strong voting of 20-6 over the only other candidate.  The five elected committee members include:

President – Bruce Scott
Vice President – Steve Poulter
North Island Rep – Simon Gerrie
South Island Rep – Dave O’Rourke
Surfers Rep – Michael Fitzharris

Three further independent appointments have been made which include Mark Tume, Nigel O’Leary and Mike Hareb.

Sponsorship relationship news
Surfing New Zealand has recently signed two major sponsorship deals with existing sponsors.  Corona has come on board for another year as naming rights sponsor for the Corona Crown Series of events. 

Hyundai has continued their relationship with the organisation, predominantly through the naming rights of the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour.  Surfing New Zealand is stoked to be able to continue these two significant relationships.

Events
The summer season of events is about to begin.  The first weekend in November started with the Corona Crown Series, with the O’Neill Sequence Surf Shop Pro held at Gisborne.  The two stars of New Zealand surfing, Bobby Hansen and Maz Quinn, fought it out for the title with Bobby getting the nod over Maz in the dying seconds of the final. 

If the first event is anything to go by, we are in for one hell of a summer of crazy surfing.  Throw into the mix the longboard comps, all the grom comps and everything else in between, and this summer is going to be insane.

International
Paige Hareb is about to resume battle on the Women’s WQS.  She is aiming to make surfing history for New Zealand by becoming the first female to qualify for the World Tour.  Maz Quinn is the only other Kiwi to qualify for the tour (2002). 

Paige needs to hold down her current ranking of fifth to get onto the tour.  The entire nation is itching to see the final result come through at the end of the Reef Hawaiian Pro on the 23rd of November.  Bobby Hansen, Rowan Aish and Nick White have been going for it on the Men’s WSQ.  Bobby secured great results in Europe to make it into the top 70 (69th). 

The Quiksilver New Zealand Surfing Team also jumped two places to 10th at the ISA World Surfing Games in Portugal.  Maz Quinn was the highest ranked surfer in the Open placing 17th while Daryn McBride took highest honours in the longboard placing 9th.

For all the information on the happenings in New Zealand hit our website -www.surfingnz.co.nz.

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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