TARANAKI, New Plymouth/New Zealand — Organisers of the Subaru Pro TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival have been forced to call the event off for the day due to gale force winds that have rendered the surf uncontestable at both the
TARANAKI, New Plymouth/New Zealand — Organisers of the Subaru Pro TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival have been forced to call the event off for the day due to gale force winds that have rendered the surf uncontestable at both the event’s locations of Fitzroy Beach and Back Beach in Taranaki, New Zealand.
The event was placed on hold until 12:30 p.m. while officials assessed conditions at both beaches before deciding to call the event off due to dangerous conditions, states a release from the Association of Surfing Professionals.
“We should be seeing waste to shoulder high surf but unfortunately we had quite a bit of wind overnight which has played a big part in keeping that size right down,” Contest Director Jason Matthews said. “If the wind wasn’t there we would probably be all action today but unfortunately we’ve had to call the event off. We want the girls to have best possible waves and with the wind expected to abate throughout the week, we’ve decided it would be best to make another call tomorrow.”
The Women’s Surf Festival is scheduled to run from April 27 through May 1.
In the midst of a red-hot ASP Women’s World Title season, the TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival will feature the world’s best female surfers as they square off for points, prize money and the all-important ASP Women’s World Title.
Hawai‘i’s Carissa Moore, 18, current ASP Women’s World No. 1 and defending event winner, made a genuine connection with New Zealand last season, donating all of her prize money to the local Waitara Boardriders Club.
“The people are so welcoming and the beaches and surrounding areas are beautiful,” Moore said. “I got my first win of the season last year here and really made a connection with the other kids at the Waitara Boardriders Club. It was a really special event for me last year and I hope I can have another great one.”
While boasting a healthy command in the race for the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title, Moore is admittedly cautious when discussing her aspirations for the season.
“I mostly focus on the heat ahead of me and my surfing,” Moore said. “It’s a long year ahead so I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself. I just want to do my best surfing and see where that takes me.”
Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore, 23, reigning four-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s World No. 4, has had an uncharacteristic slow start to 2011, but the iconic natural-footer is keen to return to New Zealand and keep improving her form this season.
“Bells was an improvement for me over the Gold Coast but I still have a ways to go,” Gilmore said. “My surfing is feeling stronger than it was at the start of the year, but the girls on tour this year are surfing really well. Every heat is a challenge and it’s an exciting time for women’s surfing. I didn’t have the best result in New Zealand last season so I’m excited to get back there and redeem myself a bit.”
Fellow Aussie Sally Fitzgibbons, 20, winner of last week’s Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach and current ASP Women’s World No. 2, is now well and truly a major player in the hunt for the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title.
“I guess I’m still riding the high from Saturday,” Fitzgibbons said. “I’m excited to get to Taranaki though. I had a good event there last year and I feel like my surfing is where it needs to be. Hopefully we get some good waves again this year.”
The TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival will be webcast live via http://www.nzsurffestival.co.nz/
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com.
