There was a time when if a woman surfer paddled out into the lineup, heads spun and the macho sound of a male-dominated arena changed its tone somewhat, with those present all of a sudden offering advice, phone numbers and every pickup line you could imagine.
These days, woman are as much a part of the lineups across the world as the men, and here in NZ over the last 10 years it is our woman surfers who have lead the charge and flown our flag with distinction. So the next time you see a dainty, cute female surfer paddle up next to you, don’t be fooled by their disguise ’cause they’re no longer here to fill the numbers but to get their share of waves, and that could be the very wave you had your eye on before they stole your attention. 16-year-old Saffi Vette of Makorori, Gisborne, is our Rising Grommette and with notches in her belt in the form of national titles and having already earned the fern, the future looks solid.
How did your first surfing experience come about? When and who with?
I started very young but I can only remember a session that was out front of our house. Mum and Dad would stand offthis rock and push me and my little bro into little 1-2 footers. The break is Nana’s/Dorry’s Rock as my great aunty Dorry used to live in a little shack where our current house is now.
Tell us about the local surf conditions, how often you get to surf and where are your favourite local breaks?
It’s pretty consistent and there are multiple breaks along the coast within a 5-45 minute drive. I get to surf quite a bit as I’m lucky to live right across the road from the beach. I’m doing school from home at the moment so I try to surf as much as possible. I try my best to surf 2-3 times a day. I don’t really have a favourite break, just wherever is surfable and has a good bank I’m out there.
The best waves you’ve ever scored on your local coastline?
Probably about two years ago when the Raglan Academy came over for a few days to shoot with NZSURFMAG, it was pretty good. We were all so lucky to score cause the surf hadn’t been like that in years!
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 184 من NZ SURFING MAGAZINE.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 184 من NZ SURFING MAGAZINE.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Trigger Finger
Ask any top surf coach and the two elements they will concentrate on and recommend are a solid bottom turn and being able to develop speed - as they say, speed is your friend, and many of the best surfers on the planet also happen to be the fastest surfers.
THESHAPESHIFTER ROGER HALL
Ladies and Gentleman Choose Your Weapons: How to decide on your next surfboard.
The Olympians
Over 50 years ago surfing’s greatest ambassador of all time, the legendary Duke Kahanamoku, had a vision that one day surfing would become an Olympic sport.
The Gladiator Pit
Born from the era of the Roman Empire, armed combatants known as gladiators would enter the arena also known as the Gladiator Pit to face up against other gladiators, animals and criminals in fierce battle in what was seen as entertainment often ending in death to one or the other.
Rising Grom Asia Braithwaite
There are those young athletes that get into sport who possess natural talent, even the X-factor, yet as the road is usually a far-too-easy passage, they either take it for granted or don’t push beyond their capabilities.
Licence To Score
The adventures behind the wheel of Mount Grom Luke Griffin.
Land Of The Long Lefts
It was the year 1966 and the sport of surfing was sweeping the world.
Theshapeshifter - Roger Hall
Ever heard of a Mini Simmons?
The Road Less Travelled
Take a look at a map of our coastline and you will see thousands of kilometres of coastline, 15,000 to be almost exact, making it the 9th longest in the world.
Then & Now
It was the early 80s and the world of sport was evolving rapidly.
