For immediate release
15th March 2024
From: Surfing New Zealand
Sport: Domestic Surfing
Event: 2024 Aotearoa Surf Pro
Divisions: Open Men’s and Women’s Divisions
Date: 6-7 April
Location: Te Arai Beach, Auckland, New Zealand
Websites and Social: Surfing New Zealand and Aotearoa Surf
Te Arai Beach added to the NZ Surf Series with the Aotearoa Surf Pro in April
Auckland’s East Coast plays host to the second event of the NZ Surf Series this April with the Aotearoa Surf Pro added to the national series in 2024. The event sees the first ever top-level domestic surfing to be held at Te Arai Beach on the east coast of Auckland.
The Aotearoa Surf Pro will be held on the 6-7 April. As an SNZ2000 rated event with over $5,000 dollars in prize money plus prizes, it looks set to attract the best surfers from all over the country as well as a handful of local talent keen to give the event a crack in home waters. The Aotearoa Surf Pro is supported by Aotearoa Surf School, a local surf school in Te Arai.
Following the success of the National Championships held in Dunedin in January and the crowning of champions Daniel Farr (Tara) and Maya Mateja (Rag), a full field of Aotearoa’s top surfing talent is expected to participate. Including Olympic qualifier Billy Stairmand, Caleb Cutmore (Rag), Taylor Hutchison (Rag), Jarrod Hancox (Tara), Kalani Louis (Tara), and Tom Robinson (Whngrei).
Local surfers will be a feature of the event as they pit themselves against Aotearoa’s best with the likes Rian Boyd, Matt Allen and Tom Barker already entered into the event. From further afield, a strong Northland based contingent is likely to appear including Cooper Ashil, and Moretti brothers Ben and Paul.
To encourage first time participation, Aotearoa Surf is offering up two wildcard positions ion the event. To go into the draw for the wildcards, simply head to Aotearoa Surf https://aotearoasurf.co.nz/event/aotearoa-surf-pro-2024/ and register your interest for a chance to surf against the best in the country.
On top of the newly crowned National champions, local legends and Open superstars, a number of our top young surfers will likely make a strong showing including Tao Mouldey (BOP), Ben and Christian Fougere (Piha), Will Hardie (Piha), Spencer Rowson (Tara) and Tava Santorik (Pap).
The Open Women’s Division won’t be without our top surfers including Leia Millar (Piha), Alani Morse and Brie Bennett of Raglan, Pia Rogers (WGM), Liv Haysom (Piha) and the return of Aimee Brown (Gt Barrier). A strong field of Northland and Auckland surfers will be keen to compete closer to home including Indi-lee Ruddell (Whngrei), Gabi Paul (Piha) and Grace Gundry (Whngrei) all vying for a share of the ranking points and prize money.
The Aotearoa Surf Pro is largely spectator oriented and will include an after party at Mangawahi, DJs, food trucks and giveaways. The event brings together surfing, athletes, enthusiasts and spectators to experience a new dynamic surf comp that is spectator focused, embracing entertainment, food and festival vibes!
Just over an hour North of Auckland CBD Te Arai Beach is an iconic beach break situated to the south of Mangawhai Heads. With peaks up and down the beach, often heavy barrels and a right hander off the point when the sand is right, Te Arai is one of the premier breaks of the Auckland region.
More About Aotearoa Surf
Aotearoa Surf is a surf shop, surf lesson and accommodation provider in Te Arai, established in 2003. They offer safe and fun surfing lessons for all ages & abilities at Mangawhai – Te Arai, plus wetsuits, surfboards, SUP boards and more for hire.
They have a range of services to suit all ages and experience levels with everything from locally based kids camps, after school programs and holiday programs to overseas surf retreats for adults. They are also the preferred choice for large organisations and corporate events.
Experience their outstanding 5-Star Qualmark certified accommodation options. Take the time to reconnect with yourself, your partner or your family in their eco pods or experience their glamping experience in their amazing range of teepees.
Aotearoa Surf are located at 11 Te Arai Point Rd, Te Arai Auckland
More about the Aotearoa Surf Pro and NZ Surf Series
The Aotearoa Surf Pro is an SNZ2000 event and part of the wider New Zealand Surf Series which includes the following events:
7 – 13 January, National Surfing Championships, Dunedin- St Clair
2-3 March – New Zealand Women’s Surf Festival pres by Sun Bum and VW, Pauanui
29 March – 1 April – Te Kaika South Island Surfing Championships, Dunedin
6-7 April – Aotearoa Surf Pro, Te Arai Beach, Auckland
13-14 April – Benchmark Homes Women’s Canterbury Champs, Sumner, Christchurch
26-28 April – Exit Surf Men’s Canterbury Championships, Christchurch
24-26 May – Backdoor King and Queen of the Point pres by Quiksilver
You can register to compete in the Aotearoa Surf Pro here.
For the Facebook event page Click Here
Accommodation at Aotearoa Surf for the weekend is available Click Here
The Aotearoa Surf Pro would not be possible without the support of Aotearoa Surf, Surfing New Zealand, Volkswagen, Sun Bum, Sticky Johnson, Shapers, Vissla, Pyzel
Further Information
For further information on the 2024 Aotearoa Surf Pro please contact Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.
Imagery
High resolution action images of the surfing will be available to media free of charge.
Event details
Please visit Liveheats.com for live scores https://liveheats.com/events/44498
Follow the event
Follow the action via social media @surfingnz across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.
Surfing New Zealand is proudly partnered by:
Sport NZ
Sun Bum
Volkswagen
Ends
Go to Surfing New Zealand
Author: Dan Westerkamp