My Account
A decision to switch from longboard to the faster, more maneuverable, shortboard has seen 17-year old Red Beach resident Kade Scheib gain selection to the Auckland Scholastics Surfing Team that will compete at the National Scholastic Surfing Championship, to be held next week in Gisborne.
The Auckland team was selected based on points accumulated from individual performances over four qualifying events.
Kade, riding a Louweazal surfboard custom made in Orewa by Louise Aitken, shredded the waves over the three events he was able to participate in, earning enough points to secure joint top spot in the U18 Boys Auckland Scholastic Surf Championships and a ticket to Gisborne.
While surfing and competing in Gisborne waters won’t be entirely new for the Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club member, the level of competition is something of an unknown. “I expect it to be a lot harder, but I’ve been told that if you just find the right wave, you can do well,” Kade says.
Kade was a Northern Region Surf Lifesaving representative team member last year and is currently part of the wider training squad.
Taking part in about eight weekly training sessions at the Red Beach Surf Lifesaving Club and five weekly training sessions for his schools’ First XV rugby team keeps him fit, so going surfing is not only enjoyable but almost necessary.
Kade began surfing when he was three years old and remains passionate about the sport. He spends any free time he has chasing the waves and has been known to be in the water for 6-7 hours if the surf is good. He often sleeps in his car at the beach so he can surf as late, and as early, as he possibly can.
Alternatively, there are the early morning starts from home in Red Beach, as he is prepared to drive almost 200km for the best West Coast waves. “I’ll sometimes wake up at 4 o’clock in the morning to go to Raglan for a surf, but mostly it’s 5.30 in the morning, just to be the first one out there and get the glassy conditions,” Kade says.
The National Scholastic Surfing Championships take place October 8-12. Hibiscus Coast residents and longboarders Natt Fitt and Joel McMullen are also taking part – Nat made the U18 longboard team and Joel is reserve. (HM July 3).
