With sleepy eyes and rumbling stomachs the crew crawled from the comfort of their beds and hit the road to Waihi Beach. It was an early start for the team consisting of Pāpāmoa College athletes Mason ‘Jon Jon’ Littlejohn, Stanly ‘Laird’ Lawton, Billy ‘Chop’ Dow, and Bronson ‘The Goods’ Goodwin. Swinging into the carpark we were met with clean pumping conditions, and as they swept pie crumbs from themselves they hooted and began the frantic and uncoordinated pre-surf ritual of the grommet - this consisting of throwing their gear everywhere - much to the dismay of close adults.

First heats were in the water just before 9am and all competitors showed early signs of nerves. The camaraderie of the group quickly became apparent as team mates assured others of their natural ability whilst also talking up their own experience and skillset - much like old fisherman sharing tall tales of their catch or ika lost.

Mason scrapped it out in his heat and deserved his progression to a second-round appearance with some solid carves on the running rights. Stanley dipped out in a hotly contested heat but was impressed with his Curren-esque style and grab rail bottom turns. Bronson briefly led his heat with a bottom turn to snap combo on a set wave but was ultimately undone by a lack of quality rides. Billy turned heads from the outset with his glorious head of hair and continued his head-turning act into the water.

Channeling Rob Machado, he had the judges convinced of style by displaying long drawn-out bottom turns but he too came up short as a result of a lack of scoring opportunities.

Regardless of results, everyone shredded and the smiles said it all - having an amazing time and representing the school was the true winner. Special thanks to the Dow and Littlejohn whānau, and especially Steve Lawton whose incredible talent captured the day in photographs for everyone.