One For The Record Books

After a 12-year hiatus, the most prestigious contest in our land returned to the Taranaki region and the legendary surf breaks of Surf Highway 45.

Over the course of a week, 332 surfers from all over the country along with several ex-pats from Australia found their way to one of the finest surf zones on the planet, to compete for titles, catch up with old friends, spark old and new rivalries and have one hell of a good time. For 57 years the Nationals has been hotly contested and still till this day stands as the most prestigious title in the sport of surfing on our shores.

Over these legendary championships there have been some pivotal moments that shaped the sport here in NZ as we know it, and each and every year it kicks off the new season with a bang. While some taste the ecstasy of being crowned the champ, others dreams, and hearts are broken, tears are shed and mums and dad’s pick up the pieces. There are so many moments within those seven days which those in attendance will remember in their own ways. So we bring you a few of our editors picks of the key happenings from his point of view after 25 years of covering the National Surf Champs, where he sits patiently focussed out on the shoreline from dawn till dusk for seven days straight, waiting for the right time to press his finger on the shutter, and observing the emotions, behaviours, and the form of the best talents from the front line.

The Return to the Naki: