MONTHS of training come down to this for the New Zealand junior surfing team.
The 12-strong Rip Curl Kiwi squad, including Gisborne teenagers Adam Grimson and Jayda Martin-Fitzharris, headed to Peru today to take on the next generation of professional stars at the 2011 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships.
Behind them is an intensive campaign of camps, personal training sessions, contests, fine-tuning equipment and fundraising.
The build-up culminated in a two-day marae stay at Mahia, which further enhanced the bond between team members — several of who are tasting this level of competition for the first time.
“Team morale is high, all the training and preparations are complete,” said team manager/coach Lee Ryan. “We have just got to get out there, stay focused and give it 100 percent”
Grimson, competing in the under-16 boys’ division, and Martin-Fitzharris (u18 girls) know the challenge ahead, having competed in the championships before.
Martin-Fitzharris goes in a hardened international competitor and hungry to emulate her 2009 top 16 performance.
Grimson experienced his first world champs at Piha last year, so knows what to expect and should improve on last year’s 55th-equal.
The rest of the team are — Under-18 boys: Ben Poulter (Raglan), Joe Moretti (Mimiwhangata, Northland), Tane Wallis (Piha), Todd Doyle (Mount Maunganui)
U18 girls: Alexis Poulter (Rag), Ella Williams (Whangamata), Grace Spiers (Whangamata)
U16 boys: Dune Kennings (Whangamata), Elliot Paerata-Reid (Piha), Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata).
The worlds are being held at Punta Hermosa and the early forecast is for a massive swell over the first two days, which should help the New Zealand team mission of surpassing last year’s seventh placing.
Formerly known as the world grommet titles before changing titles in 2003, the 2011 champs will bring together 250 surfers from over 30 countries.
New Zealand has a proud history, highlighted by Gisborne surfer Jay Quinn’s victory in the under-18 division in 2001.
Competition proper starts on Sunday but the New Zealanders will get contest action before the main event when they take on South Africa in the annual pre-worlds SANZ Trophy.
The 12-strong Rip Curl Kiwi squad, including Gisborne teenagers Adam Grimson and Jayda Martin-Fitzharris, headed to Peru today to take on the next generation of professional stars at the 2011 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships.
Behind them is an intensive campaign of camps, personal training sessions, contests, fine-tuning equipment and fundraising.
The build-up culminated in a two-day marae stay at Mahia, which further enhanced the bond between team members — several of who are tasting this level of competition for the first time.
“Team morale is high, all the training and preparations are complete,” said team manager/coach Lee Ryan. “We have just got to get out there, stay focused and give it 100 percent”
Grimson, competing in the under-16 boys’ division, and Martin-Fitzharris (u18 girls) know the challenge ahead, having competed in the championships before.
Martin-Fitzharris goes in a hardened international competitor and hungry to emulate her 2009 top 16 performance.
Grimson experienced his first world champs at Piha last year, so knows what to expect and should improve on last year’s 55th-equal.
The rest of the team are — Under-18 boys: Ben Poulter (Raglan), Joe Moretti (Mimiwhangata, Northland), Tane Wallis (Piha), Todd Doyle (Mount Maunganui)
U18 girls: Alexis Poulter (Rag), Ella Williams (Whangamata), Grace Spiers (Whangamata)
U16 boys: Dune Kennings (Whangamata), Elliot Paerata-Reid (Piha), Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata).
The worlds are being held at Punta Hermosa and the early forecast is for a massive swell over the first two days, which should help the New Zealand team mission of surpassing last year’s seventh placing.
Formerly known as the world grommet titles before changing titles in 2003, the 2011 champs will bring together 250 surfers from over 30 countries.
New Zealand has a proud history, highlighted by Gisborne surfer Jay Quinn’s victory in the under-18 division in 2001.
Competition proper starts on Sunday but the New Zealanders will get contest action before the main event when they take on South Africa in the annual pre-worlds SANZ Trophy.
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