Matt Newdick claimed the 2024 New Zealand Festival of Longboarding title in dominant fashion. Image: Coastal Surf Images
Papamoa Beach became the focal point of Longboard surfing once again with the New Zealand Festival of Longboarding taking place on Saturday and Sunday (17-18 February).
Top competitors from around the country converged on Papamoa Domain with New Zealand Longboard Team Selection on the line. Following the event, the Open Men and Women Champions will then head to El Salvador as part of the New Zealand Longboard Team to surf at the ISA World Longboard Championship to be held at the world renowned El Sunzal from the 18-25th of April. The last time New Zealand surfed in this event the team placed 17th.
Auckland surfer Matt Newdick claimed the 2024 New Zealand Festival of Longboarding title in dominant fashion today coming out victorious alongside Gisborne’s Hannah Kohn who won the Women’s Division.
By way of their victories, the two surfers secured selection into the New Zealand Longboarding Team who will contest the ISA World Longboard Championships in El Salvador during April.
Hannah Kohn, shows off the style which secured her the Open Women's 2024 New Zealand Festival of Longboarding title. Image: Coastal Surf Images
The event's final day at Pāpāmoa saw excellent conditions, with Kohn dominating the Open Women’s Division, scoring 15.30 points in the final. Gabi Paul secured second place and a spot in the national team.
In the Open Men’s Division, Newdick claimed victory with a 13.77 point total, surpassing Thomas Kibblewhite. Phil Morris won the Over 40 Men’s Division, and Ann Snyder took the Over 40 Women’s Division title.
We were stoked to be sponsoring the outstanding up and coming talent in the Neufound Eyewear Under 18 Girls which was claimed by Lucy Macefield (Chch) in first, followed by Ariana Walker (Mount) second, Te Wait Fairlie (Gis) third and Izaro Williamson Sasia in fourth. Over in the boys, Archie Whithear (Chch) took out the C-Skins Under 18 Boys Division.
Other winners included Lee Stacey, Grant Cochrane, Lucy Macefield, and Archie Whithear in various age categories.
Newdick also received the Volkswagen Highest Single Wave Score Award for his impressive performance.
Full results from the New Zealand Festival of Longboarding can be viewed here – https://liveheats.com/events/194186.
Special thanks to Surfing New Zealand for putting on this special event along with support from Volkswagen, Sport NZ and Sun Bum.
Shout out to all the partners on the day
Generous support from Morris Surfboards, Switch Stance Surf & Skate, Pineline Fins, Tasman Holiday Parks, Alt Surf Works, C-Skins, Defy Clothing and Emroce Swimwear, D Creative, Four Winds Trust and Papamoa Boardriders have made this event possible.
Thanks to Coastal Surf Images and Cameron Walker Photography for covering this event.
