Surfing New Zealand has announced nine Western Bay of Plenty teens as part of the extended squad of 35 surfers in preparation for the 2012 ISA World Surfing Championship in Nicaragua in July, 2013.
The squad includes surfers from eight regions throughout New Zealand with 23 boys and 12 girls being named.

Jordan Griffin, Josh Taylor, Luca Cressy and Mackenzie Christie, all from Mount Maunganui, have been named in the Under 18 Boys squad, along with Levi Stewart from Waihi Beach.

The Under 16 Boys will feature Kaya Horne and Kehu Butler, from Mount Maunganui and Taine Craig Ranga, from Waihi Beach.

Mount Maunganui's Kea Smith has been named in the Under 16 Girls squad.

'We have chosen a very young squad of surfers with a lot of surfers in the Under 16 Boys Division coming through,” says Surfing New Zealand selector Lee Ryan.

'We are really keen to have a look at these groms (young surfers) some more and have them surf multiple heats against each other in a training camp environment to see how they respond.”
There were a few stand-out surfers at the National Scholastic Champs held at Fitzroy Beach, New Plymouth last week which selectors have also included in the squad and want to take another look at.
The Bay of Plenty Team who reclaimed the National Scholastic Championship title had several members named in the squad including new comers such as Kayden Mayes and Luca Cressy.

The region also had the likes of Kea Smith and Kehu Butler named in the squad, two young surfers that were too young to compete at the Scholastic Championship but continue to impress in other events.
The extended build up to the international event allows team management and selectors to assess the surfers a number of times in camps and during national competition over the next seven months before the travelling team is announced on the April 23.

'The first training camp will focus on technique and head-to-head match ups and once the squad is reduced, more attention will be directed toward heat strategy and the fitness level of each surfer,” says Lee.
The squad will be reduced to 24 surfers after the National Championships take place in January.
The first training camp dates are as follows with more to be scheduled in 2013 once the events calendar has been finalised.
November 3 - Under 18s Training Camp, Piha
November 4 - Under 16s Training Camp, Piha
In 2013 the girls will be split into two divisions for the first time at the World Junior Championships with two girls in the Under 18 Division and two girls in the Under 16 Division.

In the build-up to the naming of the team, all squad members will have a full summer of events to attend as well as key squad training dates.

The 2012 management team has been reappointed for the 2013 campaign giving the team a head start with planning and team development.
The New Zealand Junior Surfing Squad is as follows:
Under 18 Boys
Adam Grimson (Gis)
Dune Kennings (WGM)
Elliot Paerata-Reid (Piha)
Jordan Griffin (Mnt)
Josh Taylor (Mnt)
Jules Craft (Gis)
Levi Stewart (Waihi Beach)
Luca Cressy (Mnt)
Mackenzie Christie (Mnt)
McKenzie Bowden (WGM)
Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata)
Sean Kettle (Tara)
Waretini Wano (Piha)
Under 18 Girls
Bianca Sansom (Auck)
Ella Williams (WGM)
Gabriella Sansom (Auck)
Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis)
Sarah Mason (Gis)
Under 16 Boys
Daniel Farr (Tara)
Harrison Whiteside (Christchurch)
Isaac Kettle (Tara)
Joshua Farr (Tara)
Kaya Horne (Mnt)
Kehu Butler (Mnt)
Korbin Hutchings (Gis)
Manu Scott Arietta (Sandy Bay)
Taine Craig Ranga (Waihi Beach)
Tane Bowden (WGM)
Under 16 Girls
Abby Falwasser-Logan (Gis)
Britt Kindred (Muriwai)
Claudia Fraser (Piha)
Dayna Story (Gis)
Jasmine Smith (Gis)
Kea Smith (Mnt)
Milly Crewe (Muriwai)
Team Manager: Tony Baker (Mangawhai)
Team Coach: Jason Ruddell (Whangarei)
Team Assistant Manager/Coach: Warren Asplin (Hamilton)