The Whangamata Classic marked the first ever Shaw and Partners Summer of Surf event to take place on international shores and the large seas from the Hayden Kenny Classic followed us to New Zealand.
The event attracted some 470 athletes from all across New Zealand and racing was back at it’s finest after a couple of years of COVID cancellations prevented any major events taking place since the 2020 national championships.
With 4-5 foot of racing underway, athletes tackled the conditions superbly with neck and neck racing going down from the Under 15, 17 and Open competitors.
The next gen of kiwi surf sports stars did battle with stand outs including Mairangi Bay’s Jack DuFaur taking home both the swim and board crowns, Jack Keepa taking the Ironman Title and Reuben Crighton (son of NZ Surf Sports hall of fame & 8x ski champion John Crighton) followed in his fathers footsteps with a ski victory.
In the women we had 4 separate winners in the individual events including Molly Shivnan (Ski Race) Lucy North (Ironwoman) Caludia Kelly (Board) and Kiana O’Fee (Ski).
Full results can be viewed here.
Image Gallery Credit – John Roy
