The Kaikoura Cold Water Classic- Probably the best Surf Comp in the World

As your intrepid surf bunker correspondent, I fearlessly took it upon my to get myself to get embedded in the food tent right in the thick of things at one of NZ's favorite surf events, The Kaikoura cold water classic here's a quick round-up from the BBQ.......

Last weekend saw the 2016 Whale Watch Cold Water Classic take place on the mountain backed pebbled shores of Kaikoura, on the South Island’s east coast. Three glorious days of clear skies, bone-achingly cold dawns and thumping swell with light offshores continued for the duration of the event, with around a hundred and twenty competitors competing from all over the shaky Isles. Most chose to sleep in their vans and some inadequate damp tents surrounding the contest area - adding a real cold-water-carnival feel to the event.

The contest was held at Meatworks , a bouldery reefy arena, perched near the mouth of the Hapuku river which winds it way from the seaward Kaikoura mountain range.

Head high Wedgey peaks and racey walls of varying degrees of steepness and longevity greeted the competitors on the Fri-day morn with something like a hundred and eighty heats to get through over the next three days and with the swell building and the frost receding it quickly shaped up to be a fast paced action packed day for all involved.

Day two saw bigger swell and the most competent riders doing battle in some great conditions, with the strong local contingent taking full advantage of their knowledge of the shifty and often unpredictable nature of the break.

After two full days of glory and upset from dawn-till-dusk consistent heats the crowd's attention was sustained by the onset of Sunday’s dawn the now booming south swell, clean winds feathering double-over-head sets were shifty and wobbly at times and far from flawless it was a good test of the remaining competitors, necessitating good wave selection and relentless duck diving.All the competitors managed to find themselves scratching onto to some good waves with several standout rides from local and visiting surfers alike and good beatings for all.

With the finals being held in some decent South Island juice the impressive level of surfing was only complimented by the setting sun pouring through the epic scenery and great atmosphere amongst the swelling crowd, the sound of beers getting opened with increasing frequency signalled the prize giving back in town wasn’t far off which, allegedly got a touch loose around the edges and predictably went on into early hours.

In the age of live streaming, corporate-sponsored big money events and surfing most likely on the verge of becoming an Olympic sport; community organized, sponsored and supported events like the Kaikoura cold water classic should be cherished and respected for what they are; a rare chance for the surfing tribe to get together, encourage the young, respect the old and share the stoke.

Hats off to the organizers for the event for their dedication in putting on such a good show and those of the wider local community for getting behind the event, and to all the sponsors and competitors who’s participation made it all possible- it was bloody good as gold.

The final Results

Open Men

1 - JC Susan 2 - Maz Quinn 3 - Ryan Hawker 4 - Rodney Somogyvari

Open Women

1 - Tash Mattingly 2 - Shani Ayson 3 - Liberty Bradshaw 4 - Lucy Temoananu

Senior Men

1 - Alan Temoananui 2 - Sam Rickard 3 - Dane Robertson 4 - Anthony Hema

Senior Women

1 - Tash Mattingly 2 - Lucy Temoananui 3 - Leilani Morgan-Brain 4 - Ange Readon Masters

1 - Anthony Hema 2 - Richard Baxter 3 - Alan Temoananui 4 - Neil Robb

Grand Masters

1 - John Roussey 2 - Dean Jeffries 3 - Patch Bonner 4 - Geoff Hutchison

Longboard

1 - Aaron Surgenor 2 - Alan Temoananui 3 - Hugh Ritchie 4 - Henry Hawke

Junior

1 - Taylor Hutchinson 2 - Harrison Whiteside 3 - Callum Chuter 4 - Elliot Brown

Cadets

1 - Elliot Brown 2 - Jack McLeod 3 - Lee Ririnui 4 - Sam Sands

Dan Kerins is a photographer, writer, surfer and plunger coffee specialist, specializing in ill-planned and under-funded excursions into the lesser known.

To see more of his work please visit: dankerinsphotography.com or keep up to date on Facebook