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Professional surfing returns to Piha
The Corona Piha Pro, happening this month at Piha, is the second in the World Surf League’s Challenger Series for the 2020 season and plays an important part in elite Championship Tour qualification. It is set to attract many of the world’s best surfers.
The main competition will be preceded by both junior and national surfing competitions for aspiring New Zealand surfers, making Piha a mecca for those who love the surf.
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Kiwi up-and-comers Elliot Paerata-Reid and Kehu Butler have already been awarded wildcard entry into the Piha Pro and they will be joined by some of the top surfers from around the world, including Kelly Slater, Carissa Moore and Adriano De Souza.
Kelly Slater (pictured left) is widely regarded as the greatest professional surfer of all-time, with the most world championship victories (11) and event wins (55). He also holds the record for being both the youngest and oldest World Champion in the men’s ranks. This will be the first time Kelly has competed in New Zealand since 1993, but the Floridian sees the beach breaks of Piha as the perfect place to get his 2020 season underway.
“I’m excited to be surfing again in an event in New Zealand and seeing all my fans there,” says Kelly. “I love the country and all it has to offer… incredible surf, golf and so much more.”
Four-time world champion Carissa Moore (pIctured right) from Hawaii has also confirmed her participation. The reigning titleholder became the youngest ever world champion when she claimed her first title in 2011 at the age of 18, before taking the title again in 2013, 2015 and 2019.
Carissa has tasted success in New Zealand before, winning the inaugural edition of New Zealand’s only women’s Championship Tour event in Taranaki during her rookie season in 2010.
“I’m so excited about returning to New Zealand,” said Carissa. “There is something really special about the people, the waves and the places in New Zealand, and I can’t wait to reconnect.”
The 2020 Corona Piha Pro WSL Challenger Series event will run from
March 16 – 22. Due to expected traffic congestion and limited parking, vehicle access into Piha will be restricted to pass holders. Visitors will need to book a vehicle permit through www.iTicket.co.nz. Once all the permits are sold, shuttle buses will be available from Glen Eden. Once in Piha, access to Piha Beach will be free of charge. The event will be live on Sky Sport. Visitors should bring sunscreen, hat, towel, footwear (the black sand will be hot), camera and a reusable water bottle. Single-use plastics, drones and BYO alcohol are banned from this event. There will be various food and coffee vendors on site, along with a public Corona Bar.
“Moved by Mr C R Holt and C F Holt that a Surf Club be formed at Piha – Carried”
In this formal way, the legendary Piha Surf Life Saving Club came into being.
The formality of the proceedings belied the fact that the meeting consisted of five men sitting around a table in Frank Ross’ Henderson house with a bowl of sausages and a keg of beer to help things along. As well as Ross, the three Holt brothers were there – Bert, Cliff and Stan – along with Laurie Wilson. Ross was elected the inaugural chairman, Cliff Holt the secretary and Wilson the club captain.
This was on Wednesday January 10, 1934. The history of the club is told in Sandra Coney’s lavishly illustrated book Piha Guardians of the Iron Sands: The first 75 years of the Piha Surf Life Saving Club from which the above extract is quoted. The Fringe is privileged to have a copy to give away, thanks to the author’s generosity. To go in the draw, write the year the club was formed with your name, address and phone number on the back of an envelope and post it to Surf Club, PO Box 60-469, Titirangi or email your answer and details to info@fringemedia.co.nz with Surf Club in the subject line. Entries must be received by March 13. WIN
