Taranaki’s Silver Surfer

Taranaki teenager Paige Hareb has stunned the international surfing world by reaching the final of the Billabong World Pro Junior in Sydney. Hareb, 17, finished in second place behind Australian favourite Sally Fitzgibbons, after knocking the South American, South African and US junior champions out of the competition. Hareb only gained entry to the prestigious event via a sponsor’s wildcard. “I think I sneaked up on a few people but I have been working hard behind the scenes,” she said in a post-event interview. “It’s great to see my name up there, and the words ‘New Zealand’ after it.”