Some of the world’s top surfers and paddle sports athletes will descend on Auckland next March to compete for the honour of being crowned the ‘Ultimate Waterman. ‘
Elite athletes will compete in six different disciplines – shortboard surfing, longboard surfing, stand-up paddleboard endurance and stand-up paddleboard surfing, waka ama endurance and tow-in surfing.
Competitors announced for the event so far include Kai Lenny of Hawaii, 2014 Stand Up World Tour champion, Australian surfer Mark Visser, former New Zealand surfing champ Daniel Kereopa and Manoa Drollet from Tahiti, renowned as one of the best free-surfers in the world.
The competition will run between March 14 and March 21 and is based at Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, although competitors will travel elsewhere to take advantage of the best waves.
"Coastal locations around the Auckland region and across New Zealand are in line to host disciplines, with final venues selected on the day to ensure that competitors will be competing in the best weather, wind and swell conditions," said Surfing New Zealand executive officer, Greg Townsend.
Ultimate Waterman is sponsored by Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED) and Red Bull, which will produce a TV show of the event to be screened worldwide.
ATEED chief executive Brett O’Riley called the Ultimate Waterman a unique showcase for sport and adventure tourism in New Zealand.
"This event has the potential to generate significant international exposure, with Auckland and New Zealand featuring prominently in online coverage and on television and film screens around the world," he said.
