The New Zealand Surfing Team forged through day 4 of the ISA World Surfing Games being held in El Salvador with half of the team in action while half had the day off.

Day 4 ended with five of the six team members remaining in the event, Taranaki surfer Ariana Shewry the highlight of the day advancing through her second round match up.

Shewry was joined by Will Hardie (Piha) who could not further his cause in the main round, getting pushed back into the repechage.  Unfortunately, the first casualty of the event came with the youngest of the team members, 14-year-old Lola Groube (Pauanui), being eliminated in the final heat of the day after progressing through her morning heat.

Shewry moved through to Repechage Round 3 and will be in action again on day 5.

“I was stoked that we got to surf El Sunzal today, it was lumpy and slightly onshore which definitely provided more opportunities and made it feel like I was surfing a super average day at home,” commented Shewry after her performance and in reference to Taranaki’s famed Stent Road.

Shewry came back strong posting a 9.23 point heat win after being pushed into the repechage on day 3.  “I took the time to reflect on how my heat played out yesterday, losses are always the best opportunities to learn from.  As today was is a different arena, I went for a free surf out there with Chris (Fougere) and we focused on getting a good line up dialled in,” added Shewry.

Shewry was happy with her performance despite the many variables out at El Sunzal. “My focus for tomorrow is to get myself onto the best waves. From there the heat strategy is to stay calm and throw spray,” added Shewry.

Will Hardie’s heat comprised two American team mates and a South African with the Americans eventually getting the upper hand despite Hardie being one average wave away from progression.

“Yeah I’m obviously disappointed to not progress, I had a solid game plan which was to be selective and get myself on the best waves, unfortunately I didn’t get another opportunity to show my surfing in that heat but I was in it right until the end,” said Hardie who will have a rest tomorrow before being back in action on day 6.

“Rest days are super crucial, the constant heat and intensity of the competition is so draining so it’s really important to rest as much as possible on the days off, I will probably surf in the evening after finding out what podium I’ll be surfing on” added Hardie of his focus over the next 36 hours.

For Lola Groube, her run came to an end at the hands of her experienced opponents from Barbados and Costa Rica who took control of her heat leaving Groube out the back unable to find the excellent score required to progress.  Groube finishes the event in 65th overall with her attention quickly turning to the World Junior Championships scheduled for December in Peru.

Day 5 action will see Alani Morse (Raglan) take to the water as the last surfer in the main round.  Christian Fougere (Piha) and Theo Morse (Raglan) will also have their Repechage Round 2 heats and Ariana Shewry will contest Repechage Round 3.  Action commences at 1:00am NZST with timing outlined below.

Podium 1 – La Bocana
3:00am – Women’s Main Round 3, Heat 7, Alani Morse
5:40am – Women’s Repechage Round 3, Heat 1 – Ariana Shewry

Podium 2 – El Sunzal
4:00am – Men’s Repechage Round 2, Heat 10 – Theo Morse
5:20am – Men’s Repechage Round 2, Heat 14 – Christian Fougere

Lay day – Will Hardie

Live webcast, full results and content can be viewed at – https://isasurf.org/event/2025-isa-world-surfing-games/  

About the ISA World Surfing Games
Organised by the International Surfing Association (ISA), the World Surfing Games are the premier team event in global surfing. First held in 1964, the event has played a vital role in showcasing emerging talent and contributing to surfing’s Olympic journey.

For Further Information:
Ben Kennings
Surfing New Zealand
021 2278732
benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz
surfingnz.co.nz

Follow us: @surfingnz on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok

High-resolution images of athletes are available to media upon request.

Surfing New Zealand proudly supported by:
Sport NZ
ACC
Sun Bum
OSM

ENDS