What better way to end the season than with an event that combines the last of the snow up at Coronet Peak and a legendary surf break just out of Riverton.
Last Wednesday saw the Boarder X section run in conjunction with the final of the season long Pipeline series. Competitors and many supporters drove just over 2 hours for todays surf section..
Southland certainly turned it on for competitors in the surfing section of the Primo Pipe @ Peak to Porridge competition held today at the infamous surf spot Porridge, just out of Riverton.
“Easterly offshore winds and a large swell of 5 - 6 feet provided near perfect surf and when the light drizzle lifted as the first of twenty four competitors hit the water we knew we had a special day” says organiser Evan Bloomfield of the Globe Hotel in Riverton.
Ste'en Webster from Wanaka displayed a smooth powerful style with great wave selection to take out the mens. Strong surfing from locals included some great floaters from Chris Ball and longest ride of the day by Puke Pou. John Spriggs from Invercargill was the top local placing fourth.
Four women competitors showed some real spirit when they took on the big surf, and created a huge response from the many spectators. When the points from the surfing were combined with the Boardercross held last week at Coronet Peak the amazing result was a three way tie for first place.
Porridge provides the perfect surfing venue just 2 and a half hours from the Queenstown snow fields and the Southland people have helped make this a classic world class combined surfing and snow boarding event”, says Evan. “We will be back next year!”
Boarder Zone Correspondent - Chris Vile
