Source: Ben Kennings – Surfing New Zealand – www.surfingnz.co.nz

2009 New Zealand Surfing Team Named
The 2009 New Zealand Surfing Team was announced today (Wednesday 3rd June).  Eight of the nation’s top surfers will compete at the annual 2009 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica from the 31st of July through to the 8th of August.

The team includes the three national champions for their respective divisions – Matt Hewitt (Mnt) in the Open Men’s, Daisy Thomas (Chch) in the Open Women’s and Daniel Procter (Gis) in the Longboard Division.

The team also includes Gisborne’s Jay Quinn who will fill a dual role for the tour to Costa Rica.  Quinn will compete in the event for the first time since he won the World Junior Championships in 2001.  This time around he will coach the youthful New Zealand team filling a management role for the first time.

Whangamata’s Gauranga Ormond and Raglan’s Billy Stairmand complete the four positions for the Open Men’s Division.  Ormond surfed his way into the team via his flow of consistent results throughout the year that saw him place second on the Corona Crown Series.  It will be the first time that Gauranga Ormond has represented New Zealand after being selected as a reserve during his junior years. 
  
Another new comer to the team is Mount Maunganui surfer Laura Rishworth.  She joins Daisy Thomas in the Women’s Division, Thomas having competed at the event in 2008 when it was held in Portugal.  Thomas placed 25th in 2008.
  
Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck) returns to the New Zealand team having last competed at the Lost Energy Drink ISA World Surfing Games in 2006.  Kibblewhite placed in every final of this year’s Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour to finish the year ranked third.

Daniel Procter (Gis) narrowly missed the tour title in March but proved that he can match it with the best after winning the Hyundai National Champs presented by Quiksilver as well as the Hyundai Pro held at Sandy Bay.

The team will look to improve on the tenth placing they surfed to in 2008.

The 2009 New Zealand Surfing Team is as follows:

Open Men
Billy Stairmand (Rag)
Gauranga Ormond (WGM)
Jay Quinn (Gis)
Matt Hewitt (BOP)
Non travelling reserve – Luke Cederman (Rag)

Open Women
Daisy Thomas (Chch)
Laura Rishworth (Mnt)
Non travelling reserve – Angie Koops (Kaik)

Longboard
Daniel Procter (Gis)
Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck)
Non travelling reserve – Leroy Rust (Ota)

Manager – David Van Staden (Rag)
Coach – Jay Quinn (Gis)

About the International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).

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