New Zealand’s top boardrider clubs will battle it out early this March to attain national bragging rights and a chance to represent New Zealand on the world stage.
The Hurley New Zealand Boardrider Club Championships presented by Volkswagen takes place at Whangamata Beach on the 11-12th March. A field comprising twelve boardrider clubs from around Aotearoa will battle it out across the two-day event.
The triumphant club will represent New Zealand at the Usher Cup World Club Challenge to be held on Australia’s Gold Coast in early 2024 where they will join upward of ten nations and a swath of clubs from Australia.
The Hurley New Zealand Boardrider Club Championships presented by Volkswagen is a highlight of the domestic surfing calendar combining team surfing with individual results, bringing out the best in club camaraderie.
Raglan’s Point Boardriders will be out to defend their title after a much-celebrated win in 2022. The win saw them head to the Usher Cup, the first team to ever represent New Zealand at the event. The club placed 14th overall and Caleb Cutmore finished 7th in the Open Men’s Division as the top placed Kiwi.
Point Boardriders will roll out a powerful team this year with only the one change from 2022. National Champion Navryn Malone joins the team in place of Kora Cooper in the Under 18 Boys Division. Malone joins Caleb Cutmore and Taylor Hutchison in the Open Men’s Division, Brie Bennett in the Women’s Division and Larry Fisher in the Over 40 Men’s Division.
The ever-present Bay Boardriders from Mount Maunganui will be out to topple the top seeds with their team expected to be strong once named in the coming week. The proud club will be aiming for nothing less than the chance to represent New Zealand on the world stage.
2021 Champions Keyhole Boardriders have yet to name a team but will likely be back with a vengeance after their title defence was abruptly halted end last year. Oakura Boardriders will be representing the Taranaki region in 2023 with the club eager to improve on their fifth placing in 2022.
Northland will travel south with a youthful team while North Wai Boardriders out of Christchurch are the sole team attending from the South Island and they will again expect to make an impression.
Local Whangamata Boardriders Club placed in the final in 2022 and will be aiming for a repeat, while the likes of Waihi and Papamoa Boardrider clubs will make the quick trip north to the event and make their presence felt.
The tag team format is the essence of the Hurley New Zealand Boardrider Club Championships presented by Volkswagen and involves all five surfers in the team going out and catching two waves in succession. A win in the tag team component of the event is worth 50% of the points up for grabs and ultimately decides the champion club.
Club teams comprise between five and ten surfers. The tag team event has five surfers taking part and clubs can opt to change out surfers for the individual heats if they choose. Divisions contested are Open Men’s and Women’s Divisions, Under 18s Division and Over 40s Division.
A full hospitality area will be set up at the beach courtesy of Hurley and Volkswagen where teams and spectators alike can hang out and enjoy the fun atmosphere. Clubs will bring their own tents, flags and support crew to make the most of the two days.
Interview with up & coming young surfer Maya Mateja
The Local Rag caught up with local surfer Maya Mateja. Maya recently made the finals in the Under 16 Girls division at the National Surfing Championships held at Piha earlier in the year.
Tell us about the national competition experience.
The conditions were challenging but I was happy to get second, and I had a lot of fun over the week.
How is the current grom competition going for you?
I’m currently coming first place in the New Zealand grom series.
When did you start surfing and who supported you?
I started surfing when I was 7, and I’ve always had the support of my parents.
What is it about surfing that you most enjoy?
Being in the water with my friends.
What is the goal for 2023 and beyond?
My goal is making the NZ team and keep improving.
