If contests are the buttoned down sports version of surfing then the free surf sessions that take place around the heats are the creative opposite. There is no pressure, no judges, no decisions, just free-flowing moments when the tide hits the banks just right.
Even with a below-par swell running around the Taranaki coastline, the Naki still produces a lot of fun waves. Back Beach, a swell magnet right near town, just happened to form a left and right bank at the main carpark for the week, but it was a mid-tide bowl a little further down that attracted the most attention.
It was on this bowl that I first saw 2023 Champion Dune Kennings unleash a few days before the Nats started. Traveling with a gang of Keyhole Boardriders rippers, Dune was meticulous out there. It was clear his intentions were to reclaim the cup in Taranaki. And he had a whole team behind him to help make that happen.
A few days later I was surfing at Back Beach when defending champion Daniel Farr paddled out. He was just as impressive for his surfing that session as he was for his manner in the water. Daniel paddled up to each of the locals and visitors in the lineup to say hello and shake hands and chat about the waves. A couple of older local gents wished him luck in the contest and were visibly proud of him.
I watched Daniel as he found a handful of waves in that surf. He’d surf them through to the end section then throw a big air rev. I saw him try four. He landed all four. He already had one hand on that trophy.
Down the beach that evening Fernando Jara filmed with Spencer Rowson, Alexis Owen, Will Hardie, Jack Tyro and Christian Fougere. Any of those five could make a play for the final. On that bowl they looked flawless. They were soon joined by the Green girls, Tayla and Stella, along with Lola Groube. Former national women’s champion Tayla was in blistering form on that punchy bank as she slotted into the rhythm of the sets.
A few days later Caleb Cutmore hung around long enough at Stent Road to enjoy a sublime session with just himself, Keo Morrison and local ripper Jordie Luke. The blustery afternoon was filled with backlit runners and ramps that Caleb made the most of.
Most mornings at Stent would see a stampede of groms across the rocky shoreline, bent on hooking that one turn or section that might make them famous. Getting a wave from the energetic crowd was half the battle, but some mornings they were among the best waves of the day.
