Muriwai Comp 2007

 

 

After the west coasts pounding by massive swells during the week, competitors at the 2007 RPM Classic presented by West Auckland Christian Surfers (WACS) and supported by Christian Surfers New Zealand (CSNZ) woke up on Saturday morning to contestable 4ft waves at Murawai Beach in West Auckland. The conditions would prove to give competitors a good challenge with the current drifting down the beach to test paddle fitness and some bigger sets roaming out the back.

 

Under the H2 format competitors were split into the Plate and Cup divisions in the first round, giving everyone a second surf and allowing the bottom half of the field a chance to surf more heats than under traditional formats. The early high tide allowed a nice warm up surf on the inside reforms where there was some good surfing on display. Thandi Durham took first place in the Women’s final and also surfed through to the cup division in the Open.

 

The middle of the day provided an additional spectacle with the fun skate comp on the Remain Industries mini ramp. There was plenty of carnage with Adam King attempting an acid drop off the rail into the ramp but this was taken out by CRS from Opanake

 

Meanwhile competitors surfed through the day to the finals. The Plate final saw the only barrel of the day with veteran surfer Gordon Webb showing his experience and managing to pull in. But this was not quite enough with Daniel Hermann getting two good wave scores taking out the final of the Plate.

 

Competing against older surfers, under 16 surfer Jack Hale from the Mount also surfed well through to the cup division and on to take 4th place in the Open Men’s Final giving him 1st in the U16 Division as well. Rowan Aish was able to capitalise on his experience from last years final to take first place in the Open with good wave selection and surfing critically in testing conditions. Rowan surfed from strength to strength to show consistency and stamina and was super stoked to receive a surf trip in a Kea Camper enabling the hunt for some more awesome surf sessions in the near future. After the presentation of the prizes, The Chase and Zebulun finished the night off with some rocking music to leave everyone content after another fun event.

 

A big thanks to the sponsors RPM, Backdoor Surf Shop and Kea Campers for all the great prizes. Also Remain Industries for the Skate Ramp, Bordertown Skate Shop for the prizes for the Skate Comp and big ups to The Mad Butcher for the sausages. Thanks also to all the people who helped run the day. Without all the helpers doing everything that they do, the event would not have taken place. Finally and crucially we would like to thank God for all that he has given us. Just being able to go to the beach and be in the ocean is an amazing blessing, and for that we are eternally grateful.

 

Results:

 

Open Cup/Championship:
1st Rowan Aish
2nd Jarred Hancox
3rd Bachelor Tipene
4th Jack Hale
5th Glenn Phillips
6th Paul Greenland

 

Open Plate:
1st Dan Hermann
2nd Gordon Webb
3rd Butch
4th Steven Webb
5th Fraser Hungerford
6th David Grimmer

 

Women’s Open:
1st Thandi Durham
2nd Kate Brady
3rd Jess Nicolson
4th Bridget Reedman
5th Daisy
6th Hayley Vink

 

Under 16 Mens
1st Jack Hale
2nd Adam Thorley Symes
3rd Ra
4th Brooke Moses
5th Wiremu Campbell
6th Levi Christie

 

Thanks to caught on radar for images (click the link to view more photos from the event)
http://www.caughtonradar.com

 

Thanks to RPM, Backdoor Surf Shop and Kea Campers for the great prizes
http://www.rpm.co.nz
http://www.backdoor.co.nz
http://www.keacampers.com

 

Thanks to Remain Industries for the mini ramp
http://www.remain.co.nz

 

Thanks to the Mad butcher for the sausages
http://www.themadbutcher.co.nz

 

Thanks to the bands – The Chase and Zebulun
http://www.zebulun.co.nz/index.html

 

More Photos: