The Sequence Surf Shop Pro being held this weekend (3rd – 4th November) kicks off the Corona Crown Series for 2007/08.The event is the first of six spread across the country that will determine New Zealand’s ultimate surfing champion.New
Zealand’s top surfers such as Maz Quinn and Bobby Hansen, both Gisborne
locals, will use this event as they build up to the last leg of their
international campaigns in Hawaii where they will travel to Saturday
week.
The Sequence Surf Shop Pro, held in association with New Zealand
Community Trust is a four star rated event meaning valuable points are
on offer as well as over $5,000 in prize money spread across three
divisions.The
top rated surfers in the Open Men’s and Open Women’s divisions will get
invited to the Corona Super 16 which is the final event in the series.For the Junior Men’s division, this weekend denotes the last event of their annual competitive season.The
race for the title is effectively down to the top three surfers – Paco
Divers (Sandy Bay), Ryan Hawker (Piha) and defending series champion
Billy Stairmand (Rag).
Defending Open Men’s division champion Zennor Wernham (Rag) will be out
to start the year off in the same manner as he did in 2006.Wernham finished third on the series last year and his win early in the series ensured his high year end ranking.
2006/07 Corona Crown Series winner Daniel Kereopa, also of Raglan, has
opted to sit out this event after a clash with his Karate grading on
Saturday.After
winning almost everything in sight in 2007, a ‘DNS’ at this event could
spell the end of his three year reign at the top of the ratings.Kereopa also won three back to back series from 2001-2003 showing his complete dominance of domestic events in New Zealand.
His absence will pave the way for a number of guys to push into the top ranks.Local surfers Bobby Hansen and Nathan Welch both won events earlier this year.Maz Quinn will also be a force and his time is due for a result after not having won an event on the series in 2006/07.A long stint at home over the past couple of months may push his desire to hunt out a long overdue win.With
only a small swell predicted by weather forecasters, the older
generation of surfers may find themselves being challenged by the young
light footed generation led by Paco Divers (Sandy Bay), Rangi Ormond
(WGM), Matt Hewitt (Mnt) and Tim O’Connor (Mnt).
The Open Men’s division at the first three events of the series has an added bonus this season.The
winner of each event will be granted a slot in the New Zealand
qualifying round of the Vodafone Surf Sessions to be held at Raglan on
the 9th of February.The winner of the qualifying round will get a place in the Kiwi team to take on the international surfers.
The Open Women’s division has a fresh look about it with many of our top female surfers currently overseas competing.Three time Corona Crown Series champion Jessica Santorik (Rag) headlines the field of surfers at the event.South
Island’s Daisy Thomas (Chch) will make her way up to the event to stake
a claim for the title and after spending much of the year competing in
Australia honing her skills, she will want to start the competitive
season off in the best way possible.Also out for a good start to the year will be Super 16 invitee Kara Stephenson (Rag) and Mount Maunganui’s Laura Rishworth.Defending champion Paige Hareb (Tara) is not contesting the event.
Sequence Surf Shop has come on board as the naming rights sponsor for the event in 2007.Company
owner and 2003 National Champion Blair Stewart saw the opening for
sponsorship of the event and was eager to put back into the sport of
surfing from which has given him many opportunities in the past. “We
thought as a local Gisborne company it was great to get behind the
boardriders club to make sure that this years event was a success.The
club has worked hard on the event and together with the support of the
New Zealand Community Trust we have no doubt a great weekend of surfing
lies ahead” commented Stewart who, with his long list of achievements,
could still be regarded as one of many favourites for the event.
Previous winners of the Sequence Surf Shop Pro follow;
Open Men 2002 – Luke Harwood (WGM) 2003 – Daniel Kereopa (Rag) 2004 – Ben Kennings (WGM) 2005 – Daniel Kereopa (Rag) 2006 – Zennor Wernham (Rag)
Open Women 2002 – Holly Quinn (Gis) 2003 – Kim Mayer (Gis) 2004 – Hester Sutherland – Stacey (Gis) 2005 – Lisa Hurunui (Gis) 2006 – Paige Hareb (Tara)
Junior (U/18) Men 2002 – Matt Scorringe (WGM) 2003 – Bobby Hansen (Gis) 2004 – Richard Christie (Gis) 2005 – Morehu Roberts (Gis) 2006 – Richard Christie (Gis)
Pre event registration will take place at the Tsunami Bar at Wainui Beach on Friday night from 6.30pm.Sequence
Surf Shop have also put together several prize packs to be raffled off
at the event with all proceeds going toward the Gisborne Boardriders
Club.The Gordon Gecko Bar on the Gisborne wharf will be
the venue for the Saturday night Corona party with DJs and
entertainment as well as giveaways and good Corona deals.See everyone there.
The six events that make up the Corona Crown for 2007/08 are as follows;
Sequence Surf Shop Pro, Gisborne, 3-4 Nov (4 star) Hyundai National Championships, Gisborne, 12-19 Jan (5 star) Billabong Pro, Whangamata, 26-28 Jan (6 star) Corona Pro, Mount Maunganui, 23-24 Feb (6 star) Rip Curl Pro, Raglan 29 Feb – 2 March (6 star)Corona Super 16, 29-30 March (6 star)
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