One minute on the clock. Fourth place. WSL wildcard or back to school. Alani Morse didn’t fancy the prospect of yet more maths. With deteriorating conditions, thunder and lightning approaching and heavy onshore winds, it was Manu Bay local knowledge that gave her an upper hand. The final horn sounded, she’d climbed the leaderboard into first but was blind to the judges’ decision. It took a throng of screaming groms rushing down the boat ramp to deliver the news. Tears, gasps, slaps of her board – it was sporting emotion at its purest.

Forty-eight hours later, she was laughing about it: “To be honest, the WSL wasn’t really the plan,” the Raglan local and wildcard entrant for the WSL’s upcoming New Zealand Pro explained. “The family house is actually being rented during the comp as I always thought I’d be heading to the US for Stab high. So yeah, I guess I’ll be homeless during the comp…” she joked. Easy to laugh when you’ve just pulled off the heat of your life. Those with a close eye on the Surfing NZ competitive circuit would argue that an achievement of this magnitude had been a long time coming. This year alone the 15-year-old has won five national titles, her ascent timed perfectly. New Zealand surfing is done waiting in Australia’s shadow.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @surfingnz

For years, the Aussie surf scene has lured many young Kiwis across the Tasman, with prospects of greater exposure and opportunity to break into the sport. New Zealand is quietly challenging that script. The CT arrives next week. An Auckland wave pool is under construction. And in Raglan, a Surfing Academy has been producing the next generation. Alani is one of them – her sporting philosophy and mindset fine-tuned under the guidance of Larry Fisher, Deane Hishon and her coach, Daniel Keropa. Larry explained: “Water time is paramount at the Academy – we work on technique through video analysis, alongside the psychological skills needed to compete.” Billy Stairmand, another Academy product and Raglan local, is also suiting up for the CT event in NZ. The formula is working. “The Academy gives me an environment surrounded by like-minded kids, it pushes me every day,” Alani said. Her priorities, for now, remain firmly ordered. “School first, surfing second.”

Alani’s approach to surfing is mature, yet centered on stoke. She doesn’t flinch. When the heat’s on, she leans in. And with that ‘leave nothing on the table’ approach she proved why she deserves the opportunity to surf against some of her idols later this week, who (gentle reminder…) are on average ten years her senior. Fresh off a Snapper win, Steph Gilmore put words to what the whole tour is feeling: “The level of the women surfing has excelled at an incredible rate.” Alani isn’t just watching that movement, she is a part of it.

Tracks Magazine

Message History

Delivery option(s)