With the winner of the Open Division able to enter as a “wildcard” in the Dream Tour, the NZ Women’s Open (NZWO) provides an unprecedented opportunity for a Kiwi women surfer and Taranaki’s own Paige Hareb to compete against the current world champion, Stephanie Gilmore, says Jonnie Mead, event co ordinator the NZWO 2010.
“With the entry form now available online, entry slots in all divisions of the forthcoming NZWO are quickly starting to fill,” says Jonnie.
“It’s exciting to open mail and receive online deposits from women who surf in Australia and New Zealand keen to take part in the Open and the TSB Bank Women’s Surfing Festival in April.”
Confirmed as coming back from Australia are the Mason sisters, Airini and Sarah, Wini Paul, and Angie Koops. All are active on the competition circuit in Australia.
On the home front, top women surfers such as former junior champ Michelle Langdon, Mischa Davis, Jess Santorik, and the long board champion for the last three years as well as the current short board champion, Daisy Thomas, have entered the event scheduled to take off on April 10 with New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Beach as the main arena.
The TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival running from April 10 to 16 will include the NZ Women’s Open, the Under-21 Pro Junior, as well as the ASP Dream Tour event. While the Festival has created an opportunity for the NZ Women’s Open to be staged after two years in abeyance – it is offering an extraordinary opportunity for the winner to compete in the ASP event, explains Jonnie.
“Some of our women who surf who have taken a break from competing are certainly embracing this event with its amazing camaraderie and celebration like atmosphere,” says Jonnie.
Above: Steph Gilmore
“They are back, wouldn’t miss any of the three events that are taking part and are happy to just sit and watch and enjoy the fun once their event is complete. Spectators will be in for a real treat, witnessing some of the finest women surfers both nationally and internationally.”
Divisions have been added to the NZWO to continue the inclusive nature this event has always maintained so the competition will offer under 12, under 14, under 16, senior (28+) as well as longboard categories.
“Some excellent surfing will be witnessed in the longboard division with many of the elite women shortboarders taking up competitive longboarding to honour the timeless origins of surfing,” enthuses Jonnie.
“It is going to be so great to see surf athletes such as Mischa Davis, Jess Santorik and Daisy Thomas take part in both long and short board divisions. It will be so inspiring for our young women surfers and those who have yet to step foot on a board for the first time. I hope that parents will bring their baby groms down to the events and see for themselves what a healthy and liberating sport surfing is”.
Contest Director for the Festival’s competitions, Jason Matthews, is urging action from competitors regarding sending their entries in before the closing date of April 5 so they don’t miss out.
“This is a shout out for all women who want to enter, to get organized now, and contact Jonnie or myself via www.surfingtaranaki.org. Entries will close off a few days out from the festival due to the rigours of accurately sorting ceded heat draws.”
ends
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com or www.surfingtaranaki.org
Or contact:
Jonette Mead, ph 021 729 937
Surfing Taranaki executive officer, Craig Williamson, ph 027 687 4122.
NB: Surfing Taranaki is the host for the TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival.
Released on behalf of Surfing Taranaki by Adviso Media, Bruce Gatward-Cook, ph 0274 99 00 24
© 2011 Kiwi Surf Magazine | Competitions Terms and Conditions | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe | Rules of this Site
