VQS NZ QUALIFIER WAS HELD AT RUAPUKE WINNERS SCORED RETURN AIRFARE TO AUSTRALIA

The last event for the 2009/2010 VQS Crustaceous Tour was held at Raglan, New Zealand. Due to small conditions on the point we were forced to hold the event at the back beach, Ruapuke. The conditions were small on the day, reaching about 1-2 foot. Some say that is as small as it gets, but there were still some contestable waves all the same.

There was a great turn out from around the country and some of New Zealand’s best surfers were on hand for a chance to win the competition and gain entry and an air ticket to this weekend’s VQS Championships at Manly Beach in Australia.

The conditions suited the groms with all finalists deserving, especially young Taine Craig-Ranga making his first ever final. A special mention goes out to the young twins competing in their first ever contest, it was great to see. But it was the older brother of Taine, Kahu Craig-Ranga who took out first place ahead of Levi Stewart, Kehu Butler and Taine Craig-Ranga.

With the New Zealand National Title on for the girls in Taranaki, we thought that the girls’ field would have been affected, but there were still some talented surfers that turned out on the day. Local Raglan surfer Tessa Randrup had her first major final win and was stoked to have a chance to head to Sydney this weekend. 2^nd place went to Amy Kotch, 3^rd place went to India Wray-Murane and in 4^th place was Kara Steveson.

The Junior division once again had a strong field of surfers from around New Zealand, with some solid surfing throughout the day. It was Blake Myers who took out the final ahead of Fintan Cram, Johnny Hicks and Todd Doyle.

The Pro Am division definitely struggled in the smaller conditions, but there were still some good waves to be had if you picked the right one. Alex Dive looked strong all day, picking off the waves and taking out the win ahead of Daniel Kereopa (“DK”), Rangi Ormond and Timmy O’connor.

It was a great day with loads of giveaways for the local kids. The BBQ was firing all day, we even cooked up some fresh mussels for afternoon tea. The winners from this event have all qualified for the VQS Championships and received return airfares to Australia this weekend to compete. If they go on to win the Championships they will be flown to California, USA to compete in the world VQS Championships in May 2010.

We wish all of the finalists from throughout Australia and New Zealand competing in this weekend’s VQS Championships the best of luck.

Groms

1^st Place Kahu Craig-Ranga

2^nd Place Levi Stewart

3^rd Place Kehu Butler

4^th Place Taine Craig-Ranga

Girls

1^st Place Tessa Randrup

2^nd Place Amy Kotch

3^rd Place India Wray-Murane

4^th Place Kara Steveson

Juniors

1^st Place Blake Myers

2^nd Place Fintan Cram

3^rd Place Johnny Hicks

4^th Place Todd Doyle

Pro – Am

1^st Place Alex Dive

2^nd Place DK

3^rd Place Rangi Ormond

4^th Place Timmy O’connor

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