Surf boat series set for thrilling finale

Raw West Coast waves, international challengers and a gripping finish – the fourth and final round of the New Zealand surf boat series looks like having it all.

Saturday’s Piha Big Wave Classic should live up to its name, with a decent 2m swell predicted for the Auckland beach.

The event has attracted crews from Australia, with powerhouse club Tannum Sands sending an open men’s, under-23 men’s and under-19 men’s crew and North Narrabean’s under-23 women’s crew also travelling over.

The Great British national team – who competed at last week’s DHL International Surf Challenge in Mount Maunganui – have also extended their stay to sample the power of Pihi in full cry.

But the real interest will be in the national series standings, with only the open men’s division secured going into the final round.

New Zealand representatives Titahi Bay wrapped up the title last week at the North Island championships in Waihi but the four other divisions are still up for grabs.

Mount Maunganui – fresh from competing at the Australia Surf Rowers’ Open in Wollongong last week – need to beat Mairangi Bay to force a countback in the women’s division.

The under-23 men’s ranks are even closer, with the Piha Pistols, the Piha Pirates and Orewa all sharing a win each in the three previous rounds this season.

The Piha Pistols currently lead the ratings but each of the other two crews can still win, if the Pistols finish outside the top-three.

Event spokesman Mark Bourneville hopes the racing will start in the early afternoon when the tide is right and he is excited about the chance to host the annual spectacle.

“Entries are still unclear as many crews wait until closer to see what the swell is doing but Piha is a big wave beach and, after rowing on two lakes this season (Titahi Bay and Waihi), it’s great that Piha is on the map,” Bourneville said.

This will be the last big hit-out for crews ahead of next month’s State national surf lifesaving championships at New Brighton beach in Christchurch.

 

 

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