The New Zealand junior Surfing Team has had an excellent start to their World Junior Surfing Championships campaign early on day one of the event with Taimana Marupo (Mnt) and Indi Lee Ruddell (Whng) winning their first-round matchups.

In the Under 16 girls’ division Alani Morse (Rag) placed second and Tai Murphy in the U18 boys after their first foray into the water.

After a long day participating in the opening ceremony, where A staggering 441 of the world’s best junior surfers gathered to celebrate the opening of the 2024 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC).

The groms got straight into business with the Under 18 boys division taking to the water.

A record breaking 54 teams are attending the event this year making it one of the biggest World Junior Championships ever.

Six of the twelve Kiwis competed on day one with The Under 18 Girls and Under 16 Boys having a lay day.

It was Taimana Marupo of Mount Maunganui up first for the New Zealand team contesting the U/18 Boy’s Main Round 1 at La Bocana.

Up in heat 2 he astonished the judges and the crowd with 12.77 heat total including a left and a solid overhead right hander that he tore to pieces, scoring a mid-range seven, he continued to keep busy in the historically shifty waves of La Bocana, securing the win and advancing to the next round.

 “I was super stoked to get that good wave, gave me a lot of confidence, it’s been fun and im, ” says Marupo on his win and debut for the NZ team.

At the same time Indi Lee Ruddell of Whangarei was surfing in Round 1 of the U/16 Girls division at podium 2 in El Sunzal.

Ruddell also found success on debut.

“I was pretty nervous to start with, but once I got my first waves the nerves settled and I got in to work, im stoked to get through the opening round and can’t wait for my next heat!”

Indi Lee dominated her opponents of Canada and Guatemala taking out the heat with a massive lead and an 8.5 heat total.

Surfing soon after, Tai Murphy of Whakatane took to the water where he placed 2nd with a 11.33 heat total.

“Surfing in front of an international audience is pretty different, its eye opening and intense but I’m really happy with my performance, bring on round 2.”

Back to the women and it was Alani Morse who took to the water in heat 26.

Surfing against Kiaara Gold of Tahiti and Juana Lucrecia Pos of Guatemala, the Raglan natural footer showing patience and skills beyond her years.

No stranger to ISA competition Morse comments: “I’m super pumped to be back competing on the world stage, it sets a great bar for me and helps me to develop mentally and physically, surfing at one of the biggest events in the worlds encourages me to be more strategic with my heats. This year I am feeling more comfortable than ever and can’t wait for my next heat.”

Competition will continue tomorrow with Boy’s U/18 Main Event Round 1 at La Bocana and Girl’s U/16 Main Event Round 1 at El Sunzal.

In the New Zealand team, Spencer Rowson surfs in heat 30  of the U/18 Boys Main round and Lola Groube (Pauanui) also will surf in the U/16 Girls Round 1 Heat 30.

The team will compete at the 2024 ISA World Junior Championship being held in Surf City, El Salvador from the 3-12 May. 

In 2023 the New Zealand Team placed 10th overall. 

The championship is the largest junior surfing event in the world playing host to over 340 surfers from 44 nations in 2024.

The 2024 New Zealand Junior Surfing Team is as follows:

Under 18 Boys Division
Taimana Marupo (Mnt)
Spencer Rowson (Tara)
Tai Murphy (Whaka)

Under 18 Girls Division
Sophia Brock (Mnt)
Ariana Walker (Mnt)
Poppy Arkle (Piha)

Under 16 Boys Division
Alexis Owen (Dun)
Benji Lowen (Aus)
Harrison Biddle (Wgm)

Under 16 Girls Division
Alani Morse (Rag)
Indi Lee Ruddell (Whng)
Lola Groube (Pau)