Source: Surfing New Zealand – www.surf.co.nz

Top New Zealand surfer Paige Hareb bowed out of the world junior championships in the quarterfinals being held in Sydney's North Narrabeen.

Little went right for Hareb in her quarterfinal and she was no match for American Courtney Conlogue who won with a score of 18.23 to Hareb's 10.33.

"I just didn't get the waves and Courtney was lucky enough to get two really good ones," Hareb said.
"She had one of the highest heat scores, but that's what happens, you're working with so many elements and it didn't go my way."

Hareb, from Taranaki, was seeded No 1 for the championships at Narrabeen on Sydney's north coast after her second placing in the same event a year ago.
But the 18-year-old said she would put the disappointment behind her as she eyes her debut on the women's world tour in February, having become the first New Zealand woman to qualify for the prestigious competition last year.

"I'm a little bit disappointed as this is probably my last junior event and it would have been nice to go out on a winning note, but I'm just looking forward to the world tour now." New Zealand's involvement ended at the quarterfinal stage today, with Hareb's compatriot Airini Mason also bowing out.
Mason's score of 11.87 wasn't enough against Frenchwoman Pauline Ado's 16.33.

Ado went on to beat Conlogue in the semifinals and won the title, beating Hawaiian Bethany Hamilton in the final.

Barnfield Snatches Maiden Tour Victory 
Press release sent on January 4th, 2009
19-year-old Ohope surfer Dylan Barnfield secured his maiden victory in the Open Men’s Division of the 2009 Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour today. 

The first event of the tour was held at Tay Street, Mount Maunganui and Barnfield proved to be unstoppable in the final.  In the Open Women’s Division, Daisy Thomas (Chch) defended the title she secured in 2008 and got her year off to another flying start.

The surf on the final day remained small and only just contestable.  An early meeting with all remaining surfers quickly confirmed their desire to see the event through to completion.

Barnfield posted 14.6 points out of a possible 20 in the final.  A 7.50 point ride followed by a 7.10 late in the heat was enough to secure his first victory. “This is my first win since moving up from the junior division, it is such a good feeling to win again,” reflected an ecstatic Barnfield.

The small conditions obviously played into Barnfield’s hands.  Coming from Ohope, he is used to surfing whatever surf comes his way and today his small wave experience proved very valuable. “Yeah it was small and tough – you really had to hope for a wave and then when the waves came your way you had to try and do something decent on them to score good points. 

It was just contestable but I guess and everyone is in the same boat,” Barnfield added in regard to the conditions he experienced today.

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), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).

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