The City Surf Series, a weekly Auckland race, took the show on the road this weekend down to Pauanui in the Coromandel with a perfect 1m swell, offshore winds and 120 competitors… What a show it was. The SUPs paddled either a 3km or 4km technical surf race whilst surf skis headed out 10km around the majestic Shoe Island. Sam Mayhew placed first in the surf ski race and then joined the sighted bronze whaler surfing his prone paddle board on the shore break for the rest of the afternoon. All-round waterman, Gavin Houghton, took out the title for the 4km SUP with solid paddling and a few well placed waves.
Photo by Georgia Schofield. Overall Womens winner, Penelope Strickland surfing in at the City Surf Series, Pauanui, New Zealand.
World champion, Penelope Strickland, won the 4km womens and placed 5th overall.
Photo by Claudia Lyons. SUP Kids division winner Amber Jackson at the City Surf Series, Pauanui, New Zealand.
13 years old Amber Jackson won the SUP Kids race navigating the dumping shore break on her 10’6 Junior Allstar.
Great training for NZ SUP Nationals 11-12 March at Orewa, a two day event with 15-18km distance race and Technical Surf Racing, open to all nationalities. Visit facebook.com/nzsupchamps for entry details.
