DAY 3 JANUARY 23RD  PIHA BEACH

Hawaii world team editorial correspondent 
Andy Melamed

Inspiration can come from all sorts of places.. In New Zealand at Piha Beach, site of the QUIKSILVER ISA JUNIOR WORLD SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS the Verizon Wireless Hawaiian Team “under 16 groms” learned a lesson from their team mates difficulties from the day before.

In this case the younger groms saw ways to overcome the continuing stormy conditions and they fared quite well.  Koa Smith streaked across some thick grinding lefts, Kain Daley power sprayed some inside sections and Ian Gentil used his speed and flexibility to find angles no other surfer imagined. The only casualty was Isaiah Moniz who was edged out by a few decimal points in his second round heat, and he will find himself in a repercharge round down the beach when the contest continues.

On Saturday January 23rd these young whipper snappers refused to let the conditions or other surfers get the best of them.  They figured out the tricky currents, and  relentless sets, and made the proper adjustments in waves that at times more than doubled their size in height and volume.  With the winds still blowing onshore and oceans steadily swirling the young groms looked  strong, positive and determined. With the entire team and all the coaches and supporters lining the beach they were insprired.

These young groms , who are all rookies to this event, as well as  surfing a global stage of consequences set the bar for the rest of the team.  And with the ladies hitting podium one for the first time in the competition on Sunday as well as the older boys under 18 attacking podium two during  Sundays repercharge the inspiration and fire came at a perfect time.  The team is looking forward to another day.. and another horizon in New Zealand.