October 15th 2024: Mountains to sea

Dunedin hosted the Scholastics Surfing Championships this past week. That's kind of a big deal and one of the biggest events of the year, even if the cost of living crisis chopped the field in half when compared with normal years. The reduced field still had the best surfers in New Zealand in attendance.

Unfortunately, it coincided with a pretty big week for me in the commercial part of my working life – that's the bit that pays the bills, keeps the lights on and food on the family table. Part of that work meant I got to spend Thursday up the mountain chasing snowboarder Tony James around the backcountry behind Cardrona. He's an intriguing character and runs a podcast called the Sidehit Podcast that tells the history of snowboarding in New Zealand through a series of classic, Kiwi-style interviews with most of the legends of the sport. He also came from a gromhood ripping up the rails and bowls of Dunedin under the tutelage of the original Dunedin skate crew (and they were quite legendary). We have a full feature story in the works with Tony.

I managed to get back in time for finals day and to see young rising local star Pipiata Ritchie almost beat New Zealand rep Lola Groube in the Under 14 Women's final. What a great battle and a great future ahead for Pipi. 

My kids, Rewa and Keo, both made the semi-finals which was a great result. Alexis Owen dominated the Under 16s to take the win there with Northland's Indi Lee Ruddell claiming the Under 16 Women's ... also with a spirited display of surfing. The Under 18 Women's title was won by the super smooth and flowing Leia Millar, of Piha. In the Under 18 Men's it was a breakout performance by Northland's Cooper Ashill for the win. Northland seem to be on the rise and getting better every season, but couldn't quite pip Auckland for the team win.

The Scholastics marks the beginning of surfing's competitive season in New Zealand. Here we go again ...

See you at the beach ... Derek

PS Want to get your hands on my latest book: New Zealand's Best Gourmet Pies? Of course, you do. While it's available nationwide in all good book stores you can also buy it directly from me ... and I'll even sign it for you. Use the code FreeShipNZ and we'll even pay the shipping for you! Free shipping is available for New Zealand addresses only, sorry. Get to it ... those Xmas presents won't buy themselves.