New Zealand Blog 1

O’NEILL CWC SERIES 2011 – GISBORNE, NZ – DAY 1

CHOICE

March 23, 2011. By Jarrad Howse

New Zealand is well know for quite a few reasons, Fush & chups (fish & chips), its proximity to Australia, The All Blacks (Rugby Union), Tiger Woods caddy Steve Williams is a citizen, the vino’s superb, it has amazing snow fields, an abundance of sheep, the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed here and Russel Crowe was born under the long white cloud before migrating across the Tasman.

A couple of thing you might not have heard so much about is that it’s surrounded by ocean, has choice* waves and right now a ton of emerging National talent.

As the crow flies Gisborne is a few hundred kilometers from Auckland, but as the road winds she’s a charming and sometimes dangerous 6 hour drive South. Gizzy, as the natives call it and its surrounding beaches will play host to the first event of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series 2011.

I’m thrilled to be here in NZ, back on the road exploring a new surf destination. Fingers crossed the seas are kind and keep sending the corduroy in and the rumbling tectonics stay quiet and still.

*Choice is Kiwi for cool, rad, sick, wicked, filth, awesome.