Story surfing for NZ glory

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Story surfing for NZ glory

Thursday, September 06, 2012 • John Hill

CAMPION College student Dayna Story will have a new surfboard — courtesy of the International Surfing Association (ISA) — when she competes for the Gisborne team defending their National Scholastic Surfing Championships title at Taranaki in October.

The 15-year-old surfer and Piha’s Waretini Wano were selected from five New Zealand applicants to receive $1200.

“When mum (Patricia Bradley) and I heard an email had been sent out regarding the application we rushed home but the computer was so slow it was agonising just waiting to read it,” said Dayna, who will also use some of her windfall towards a laptop for school work.

“Getting the money is awesome and has added to my motivation.”

Dayna, who has been surfing competitively for the past four years and has competed in Australia in 2010 and 2011 rated her win at the King of the Groms at Gisborne last year, as her best result.

“I was stoked to win the King of the Groms. That won me a trip to Coolangatta to watch the Roxy Pro event which was awesome. I had an amazing time in Coolangatta.”

Sounds like you might be interested in a surfing career?

“Im not sure what I plan on doing later on in life, but my immediate goals are to have good performances and results in the upcoming season. The ultimate goal would be to compete successfully for NZ in international events but everything depends on what happens this surfing season and then next year I will reassess my goals.”

It wasn’t just her potential on the surfboard that earned Story the $1200 scholarship.

“I had to submit reports from school on my academic studies and get references from teachers and others.

“I want to thank everyone that helped me obtain the scholarship, especially my parents, Ben Kennings (contest director for SurfingNZ), Andy McCullough, (Gisborne Boarders Club chairman) and Darryl Dunn my school mentor.

“Michael Fitzharris (Gisborne Scholastics Team coach) and Jayda Fitzharris have also been supportive of my surfing over the past four years.”

Dayna, a member of the Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club, said she tried “a lot of other sports but surfing is definitely my passion”.

“I also really enjoy music, playing piano, guitar and singing, and am considering a career in journalism, but the adrenalin buzz you get when you catch a good wave is indescribable.”

What about injuries, huge waves, getting dumped?

“I’ve never had any major injuries, just some scrapes and cuts.

“When I was 12 I competed at Piha beach for the first time and the surf was huge. That knocked my confidence back then but I’ve been back there a few times since then and built my confidence back up and managed to even win a comp there this year.”

Jadya Martin-Fitzharris was also a recipient of the ISA scholarship in 2009.

Dayna will compete in the u16 division at the nationals scholastic champs at Taranaki along with Gisborne Girls’ High School’s Jasmine Smith, who won the u14 division individual title last year at Ahipara.

TOP TURN: Gisborne’s Dayna Story shows the style that earned her selection for the Gisborne team to compete at the New Zealand Scholastics Surfing Championships and a $1200 cheque from the International Surfing Association. Picture by Tom Grimson

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