​Wakatipu High School’s Ruby Andrews (17) has won the freeski slopestyle title at the FIS Park and Pipe Junior World Championships  in Switzerland.  
 
“I could not be happier to take the win here at Leysin today! Feels so good to be back on the podium after not competing for two years! Thanks to everyone who made this possible.” Andrews wrote on her social media. 
 
Andrews started her first run with a technical back swap on the rainbow rail before lacing together a solid jump section and finishing off with a 270 onto the final rail. She was rewarded 85.40 by the judges for this run, her score remaining untouchable for the remainder of the event.  
 
Although her second and final run was a victory lap, Andrews dropped in with the intention to add more technicality to her run and bump her winning score even higher. A couple of small bobbles resulted in her run one score being her top score of the day.  
 
Andrews proved today, that although she hasn’t competed for two years while she rehabbed a knee injury sustained in 2020, she is still at the top of the freeski game for her age.  
 
There were two Kiwi men competing in the freeski slopestyle finals. Harper Souness (Queenstown, 16) finished in fifth position and Luca Harrington (Wānaka, 18), Big Air silver medalist, finished in thirteenth position. 
 
While the freeskiers were throwing down on the slopestyle course the snowboarders were getting to work on the Big Air jump. 
 
Dane Menzies (Wānaka based, 16) finished just off the podium in fourth place and Txema Mazet-Brown (Raglan, 15) finished in eighth place.

Watch her winning run (from 18.55 min) HERE

​Seyjay Harawira believes his ability to establish meaningful connections was the biggest reason he was appointed head prefect of St Patrick’s College, Silverstream. 

A natural confidence to be open, coupled with the respect of his peers are sought after leadership qualities. They are also handy attributes as a caller on a dragon boat.

The crew of a standard dragon boat typically consists of 22 team members: 20 paddlers in pairs facing toward the bow of the boat, one drummer or caller at the bow facing toward the paddlers, and one steerer standing at the rear of the boat.

A caller sets the race pattern, observes the progress of rivals and is the key tactician in an explosive exercise that is often over in less than two minutes.  

Silverstream’s dragon boat team hasn’t lost in a decade, and at the College Sport Wellington Championships over the weekend extended their win streak to 124 consecutive races with victory over Bishop Viard College. How does Harawira get 20 boys to function in unison? 

“We break a race down into three parts: strong explosive, quick set and reach. Strong explosive is a slower paddling but involves pulling the boat out of the water and generating power. A quick set is faster paddling with less power. It’s about getting through the middle of the course efficiently. Reach brings everything together at the end,” he responded.

Such a deliberate approach isn’t accidental. Silverstream are coached by top duo Chris Fox and Baz Taniwha who have guided Silverstream to Wellington, Auckland and National titles. The long winning streak is a particular source of pride for Seyjay whose brothers Jarrod, Tegan and Braydin also competed for Silverstream.

“Chris and Baz have a real presence around the team. When they talk you listen, because if you listen you’ll likely win,” he said.

Despite completing just half of their scheduled training due to Covid isolation each member of the crew had a clearly defined role.

“The first four seats set the pace, the next four seats are where the big boys sit. We call that the engine room, that’s where the real power in the boat comes from. The boys behind the engine room keep them in check because sometimes they can get carried away and lose rhythm. It’s a great feeling when everyone is in sync.” 

Silverstream aimed to better their College Sport Wellington 300-metres record of 69 seconds. They fell short of that target but were still ten seconds quicker than a talented and determined Bishop Viard team.

“It was a really good day with little wind and flat water. The boys were hyped for it. We made a really good start and led by half a boat length. Our transition from power to set was a bit shaky but we finished really strong.”

Harawira has a strong affinity with his Iwi, Rongowhakaata (Gisborne) and Te Whakatōhea (Eastern Bay of Plenty). He believes his Māori background can provide different perspectives and “better integrating all cultures” is part of his aim as head boy of Silverstream.

In the winter it’s likely he’ll appear on the wing for the First XV rugby team who are the reigning Premier I champions. Silverstream’s team will be younger than last seasons’ but Harawira is confident they have the talent to defend their title.

Interview and story by Adam Julian for College Sport Media and College Sport Wellington, March 2022. 

A strong new team has been selected for the 2022 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Junior Surfing Championships today (Tuesday 8th March). Apart from Kora Cooper (Rag) who returns to the competition in the U18 Boys, Ava Henderson (Chch) and Natasha Gouldsbury (Tara) returning in the U18 girls the Junior Surfing Team sees the debut of nine of New Zealand’s best junior surfers.

Veteran team member Natasha Gouldsbury returns for the last time in the Under 18 Girls Division. “I am over the moon and so stoked to be chosen for the team especially alongside three close friends of mine from Taranaki”. Off the back of some great results this season including two wins in the Billabong Grom Series, Gouldsbury says her hard work has finally paid off and she is stoked to be representing New Zealand again in her last year of junior surfing.

This will be the first time the Junior Team has been away since 2019 and the first World Junior Championships since that year due to the ongoing global pandemic.

In the Under 16 Boys Division talented goofy footer Tao Mouldey (Mnt), off the back of three straight wins in the Billabong Grom Series and Under 16 Boys Division National Champion Jack Tyro (Chch) make their debut into the New Zealand Junior Team. ”A few years ago, I set myself a goal to get into the Canterbury Team” says Jack Tyro.”And to think I have now been chosen to represent New Zealand in the ISA Junior World Championships is unbelievable. This will be my first time travelling to another country apart from Australia, so I am stoked and really excited for this opportunity”.

El Salvador is no stranger to top level competition, being the latest venue for the World Surfing Games/Olympic qualifier where Paige Hareb placed 11th in 2021. It will again be the host for the 2023 Olympic Games qualifications.

Ava Henderson also returns to the team in the Under 18 Girls Division alongside Liv Haysom (Piha) and Natasha Gouldsbury (Tara). Tao Mouldey (Mnt), Jack Tyro (Chch) and Spencer Rowson (Tara) represent the Under 16 Boys while Leia Millar (Piha), Pia Rogers (WGM) and Skylar McFetridge (Tara) make their debut in the Under 16 Girls Division. After a hard-fought New Zealand Grom Series, Finn Vette (Gis), Kora Cooper and Kalani Louis (Tara) will represent the Under 18 Boys Division.

The team will compete at the 2022 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Junior Surfing Championships from the 27th May - 5th June. New Zealand has been represented at ISA World Junior Championships since 2003 when the junior divisions were separated from the World Surfing Games. Prior to this time the New Zealand Junior Surfing Team attended the World Grommet Titles since its inception in 1989.

The championship is the largest junior surfing event in the world playing host to over 340 surfers from 44 nations in 2022.

The 2022 New Zealand Junior Surfing Team is as follows:

Under 18 Boys Division
Finn Vette (Gis)
Kalani Louis (Tara)
Kora Cooper (Rag)
Non-travelling Reserve: Tyler Perry (Kaik)

Under 18 Girls Division
Ava Henderson (Chch)
Liv Haysom (Piha)
Natasha Gouldsbury (Tara)
Non-travelling Reserve: Anna Brock (Mnt)

Under 16 Boys Division
Jack Tyro (Chch)
Spencer Rowson (Tara)
Tai Mouldey (Mnt)
Non-travelling Reserve: Rakiatea Tau (Chch)

Under 16 Girls Division
Leia Millar (Piha)
Pia Rogers (WGM)
Skylar McFetridge (Tara)
Non-travelling Reserve: Sophia Brock (Mnt)