February 2019 - New Zealand Surf Journal

Photo Essay: East Coast Pumps Part 2 – Gisborne

Derek MorrisonFeb 28, 2019July 31, 20190

The February swell that swept into the East Coast and drifted south made a direct hit on Gisborne. The wonky, wobbly swell hit with such intensity that only few breaks could properly handle the volume of water moving around. The unusual easterly swell direction added to the confusion. But if...

Photo Essay: East Coast Pumps Part 1 – Coromandel Coast

Derek MorrisonFeb 28, 2019July 31, 20190

A swarm of tropical cyclones swirled through the Pacific in the first half of February. As they dissipated they tracked south east and got trapped off the East Coast by a blocking high over New Zealand. That scenario created the perfect long range and sustained swell engine for the East...

We Rank The 10 Best Surfers In New Zealand Right Now

Derek MorrisonFeb 27, 2019July 25, 20240

New Zealand Surf Journal asks the New Zealand surfing industry to rank our 10 best surfers. The concept is simple: include not just the best competitors, but also our very best free surfers and underground chargers. This is who they came up with. THE CRITERIA Surfers are assessed based on...

Caleb Cutmore And Gabrielle Paul Claim Grom Series Titles At Piha

Derek MorrisonFeb 24, 2019September 16, 20190

Six champions were crowned at the third and final event of the Billabong Grom Series presented by Oceanbridge event completed at Piha Beach, Auckland over the weekend with Caleb Cutmore, of Raglan, and Gabrielle Paul, of Piha, securing the premier Under 18 titles. Titles went to Piha, Raglan, Christchurch and...

Ella Williams Claims Victory At Mothernest Great Lakes Pro

Derek MorrisonFeb 24, 2019July 25, 20241

Whangamata surfer Ella Williams has claimed her maiden World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) victory of the year, taking out the Women’s division at the 2019 Mothernest Great Lakes Pro in heavy four-to-six foot surf at Tuncurry, NSW, yesterday. Williams ability to consistently post decent scores on longer running...

Luke Rogers and Ava Henderson Win Catlins Grom Comp

Derek MorrisonFeb 19, 2019February 19, 20190

Luke Rogers and Ava Henderson rise to the top of a hungry pool of grommets at Round 3 of the South Island Grom Series held in fun waves at Porpoise Bay in the Catlins. Originally scheduled be held at Colac Bay, which was super fun for most of the day...

The Reef: Riding A Once In A Blue Moon Swell

Derek MorrisonFeb 15, 20190

I’d been tracking it from a week out and it played the notes of the forecast with precision. For big wave surfing this was a classic: its deep fetch straight off the western edge of Antarctica, landing an almost direct hit on the southeast corner of New Zealand. Then, sometime...

Mental Health And Surfing: Dragon Tackles The Taboo

Derek MorrisonFeb 13, 2019March 1, 20190

Dragon takes a big step forward and raises the conversation around mental health in surfing, bringing together Dragon surf team athletes from Australia and New Zealand for a team trip with a twist … At New Zealand Surf Journal we don’t run advertorials. We’re 100 percent for the reader. But...

Luke Griffin And Kai Woolf Take Whangamata Grom Series Wins

Derek MorrisonFeb 11, 2019March 1, 20190

Mount Maunganui surfer Luke Griffin hit his straps at Whangamata this weekend taking out his first event in five years at the Billabong Grom Series presented by Oceanbridge. Luke was joined by Raglan based surfer Kai Woolf, who has recently returned to New Zealand from her native South Africa, as...

Tane Bowden Third At Mac City Pro Junior

Derek MorrisonFeb 11, 2019March 1, 20190

Tane Bowden has finished third at the 2019 Lake Macquarie City Pro Junior held at Red Head Beach and Catherine Hill Bay, NSW, at the weekend. The result boosts him to sixth overall on the Men’s Junior Tour. Aussie duo Molly Picklum and Caleb Tancred claimed victory over an impressive...