Hewitt makes Kiwi surf squad

With his surfboard in hand, and a wealth of experience behind him, Mount Maunganui surfer Matt Hewitt has joined a potent team of Kiwi surfers contesting the 2015 International Surfing Association World Surfing Games.

Surfing New Zealand have announced their six-strong squad for the 51st edition of the global event, to be staged in Popoyo, Nicaragua in late May.


Mount Maunganui surfer
Matt Hewitt has been named in the New Zealand Surfing Team to contest the 51st ISA World Surfing Games in Nicaragua. Photo: Col/Surf2Surf.com

Attracting up to 150 athletes from 30 countries, the Kiwi side will be led by four of our top athletes currently competing in the World Surf League Qualifying Series.

Paige Hareb of Taranaki and Whangamata's Ella Williams will be the two female athletes in the team, while Hewitt and Billy Stairmand (Raglan) will compete in the Men's Division.

For Hewitt, it marks back-to-back spots in the squad after leading the men's contingent for the 2014 edition to Punta Negra in Peru.

Hewitt has had success at previous ISA events, placing third in the Under-16 Boys Division of the World Junior Championships in 2007.

The guys will be joined by multiple New Zealand representative JC Susan (Dunedin), and ex Junior Surfing Team representative Dune Kennings (Whangamata).

Hareb and Williams have tasted success at the event in recent years, with Hareb finishing runner-up in 2010 and Williams placing fourth in 2013.

And both are currently competing in the Qualifying Series, with the aim of securing a place on the World Tour for 2016. Hareb has started the year well and is currently ranked sixth, with Williams slightly back in 25th.

The two surfers will use the World Surfing Games as part of their build up towards their next major qualifying event in Mexico – the Los Cabos Open, which starts two days after the completion of this event.

It is the opposite for Stairmand, who will contest two major QS10,000 events in California and Brazil over the next six weeks before heading to Nicaragua.

Stairmand represented New Zealand at the World Surfing Games in 2013 and after a two year hiatus, will look for strong results this year to help elevate the New Zealand Team ranking.

Susan placed 16th in 2014 when it was held in Peru - the highest placed Kiwi at the event. Susan has been part of the New Zealand Team for the past three events and will rely on his experience to break in to the top 10 this year.

Kennings is the youngest surfer in the team at 19-years-old and has only represented New Zealand at a junior level.

However, he will be sure to add some excitement to the team with some exceptional surfing over the summer domestic season here in New Zealand.

The team is currently ranked 10th in the world but will be looking for significant improvement in Nicaragua.

A top-seven finish will see the team gain an invite to the China Cup, where they have the opportunity to compete against the top surfing nations from around the globe.

Peru claimed the team gold medal from 22 other countries in 2014, edging out Australia in second and Argentina in third.

The 2015 New Zealand Surfing Team is as follows:

Open Men: Billy Stairmand (Raglan), Dune Kennings (Whangamata), JC Susan (Dunedin), Matt Hewitt (Mount Maunganui). Non travelling reserve – Zen Wallis (Piha).

Open Women Ella Williams (Whangamata), Paige Hareb (Taranaki).

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