SURFING TITLES

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31198, 24 October 1966, Page 6

SURFING TITLES

N.Z. Standard “Mediocre’ > New Zealanders’ performances in the world surf 1 championships at San Diego were only mediocre, but were much better than that by New i Zealand standards, said R. i Fawcett of Christchurch. i Fawcett was one of three ‘New Zealanders who competied in the championships .which extended over five days. Fawcett a member of the Midshore Boardriders’ Club, and A. Byrne (Gisborne) finished fourth in their heats, and W. Parks, the senior men's and New Zealand surf riding champion, reached the semi-finals after running second to the winner, N. Young (Australia), in » heat. Most of the S 3 competitors expressed surprise at New Zealand's good standard, considering the team's experience. Although most of the competitors had been surfing for 15 to 20 years, the average experience of the New Zealanders was about three years, Fawcett said. The champion. Young, had been surfing since he was j eight and now, at 19. was able Ito do it full time through revenue from advertising. Young had said he would visit New Zealand’s popular surfing spots after honouring con- ■ tracts and visiting overseas. The New Zealand Surf Riders’ Association, which had found sponsors for the pioneering team—it was the first to compete outside the Do-minion—-would send another team to the next world championships in Hawaii, Fawcett said. The New Zealand standard should rise rapidly with more and more Australians visiting the country each year for surfing holidays. With more people watching and learning, the standard was improving visibly each summer, he said. Fawcett who finished second in the New Zealand junior championship, had to compete against the world’s best riders at San Diego. It was thought earlier that the New Zealanders would be in a second division without the top surfing nations, Australia, America, Peru and Hawaii.