Gabrielle Paul wins at Coast Papamoa New Zealand Longboard and SUP Open

Photo credit: Col / Surf2Surf.com

Congratulations to Auckland’s Green Bay High School Year 10 surfer Gabrielle Paul for winning the Women’s Longboard Division at Papamoa Beach on Sunday.

Gabrielle Paul (Piha) claimed a tight win in the Women’s Longboard Division pushing defending champion Alexis Poulter (Waihi Beach) back in to second place despite a late charge for the lead which came up short by less than 1.0 point.  Paul finished with a 7.87 point heat total to defeat Poulter, Kiri Binnersley (Mnt) finishing in third and Kelsi McKenney (Mnt) finishing in fourth.

Like 14-year-old Paul, Gisborne Girls’ High School’s Stella Smith, who is only 13, won the Starboard Women’s SUP Division. Smith is an all-round waterman having only last week taken back-to-back national wins on her shortboard as well as successfully competing in surf lifesaving events.  Auckland’s Pea Strickland placed third in the final ahead of Naiomi Madeiros (Auck) in fourth. Smith is the younger sister of New Zealand junior surfing and surf lifesaving representative Jasmine.

The Coast Papamoa NZ Longboard and SUP Open brings together longboard and stand up paddleboard surfers from around New Zealand eyeing wins across the eight divisions contested over one day.

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