Kings and Queens
Last week was hectic. What Backdoor and Surfing New Zealand pulled off was truly spectacular.
Check out those cars, Manu Bay heaving last Sunday for the finals
The Backdoor King and Queen Of The Point has been for years the premier date on the competitive calendar. There are caveats around that of course; the Nationals hold the most mana. And the Boardriders Cup is fast becoming the surfers' favourite.
But there's something about a national contest at Manu Bay. The natural amphitheatre is steeped in history. 90's WQS's and the huge festival like events of the T&C Pro's, No Fear and Rip Curl Classic. There's no doubt Hutch from Backdoor has always tried to tap into that lineage.
Hutch, Billie Scott and Mini Hutch pre comp brief
Last week achieved that and more. The stakes were raised with the mens and womens wildcard for the upcoming Raglan WSL and a very, very healthy prize purse. It drew out of the woodwork the who's who of NZ Surfing. Further backed by Quiksilver and Roxy, Tom Carroll, Dimity Stoyle, Stace Galbraith and the indominatble photog Ryan Heywood were in attendance too. The point I'm trying to nail is that The K&Q had layers of attraction and importance this time around. Live streaming, TAB betting, Tv crews, media huddles ... it really was as big, if not bigger than the 90's contests of lore.
The spoiler, there's always a fricken spoiler aye. The familiar culprit, the weather forecast. It's didn't look grim, it looked absolutely fucked up. Thunderstorms, gale force North Westerlies, multiple ugly fronts driving up from the roaring 40's. And we sure got it all.
5 days of 115 heats is around 52 hours. So 10 hour days for the judges with no stop and there's always stops. The SNZ/Backdoor/Christian surfers crew put in 12-14 hour days. It was hard work for sure, especially for a largely voluntary posse.
BUT there were moments of gold, moments of tide and swell were all the competitors could open up and perform. Foreboding forecast, but more sessions of nearly pumping Point that no one expected. You can read the offical results and report HERE
I shot nearly 9500 frames over the 5 days, dawn til dusk every day- that's my job. Apart from the SNZ Galleries [go on have a squizz]
Van
The whole week was a bloody highlight to be glib. Stand out moments would be Day Two's open heats in the evening, somewhat clean, mid tide and pulsing swell. The carpark was packed, and every competitor raised their performances. Local Grom Van Camenzind's one reo 7.67 ride sent the carpark into hysteria, car horns and hoots. That was a real moment of 'whoa, this comp has got big.' A few heats later locals Jayden Willoughby and Kora Cooper demonstrated what familiarity with the Point's foibles provided. Jayden posted 2 electric 8+ rides with the same roar from the crowd.
The Christians; aka C-Salt Academy. What legends, providing labour [pack in and pack out everyday]. A huge FREE bbq for staff, competitors and spectators. A mobile mini ramp set up and side comp.
Tao Mouldey and Kora Cooper, made the finals, and clearly wanted the win as much as Tommy Butland or Elliot Parerata-Reid. When the final hooter sounded, they chaired up Tommy B, they were visibly stoked for Tom. Bloody good sports.
Alani Morse, the giant killer. She's been part of the conversation for many years now. Safe bet for a finals berth in any comp. A constant recheck to remind oneself that Alani is only 15. It was soooo heart melting to see Alani overwhelmed and so emotional after her win. Mate we are so proud and stoked for ya.
Tommy B. What can be said about the future Mayor of Taranaki! The people's champ, I won't call Tommy an underdog, 'cos he's been there the whole time. Used to the finals bracket since he was a grom, maybe not used to the big cheque? As with so many athletes, Tom came back from two heavy injuries last year stronger and fitter than ever. Dunno if the sparkie by trade got much work in this week.
Last week illustrated that surf comps in NZ are far from dead. Hutch and BK built it and we all came. It was fricken sick, roll on May and the WSL coming to Raglan.
AND DEEEN……
Just added to the Waves Gallery yesterday…. taken the day before the King and Queen, clearly illustrating that no arachnids were fornicated with last week, it was all go.
Whanga Flows; I wanted to convey the relationship between the river and the Bar, how they co-exist and flow, while contextualising the surf in its environment. Now that there is a verbose overkill mansplain of a plan pretty well executed photo. Point is, there’s a new image available for you to buy HERE
