One title wasn’t enough for Tairawhiti’s Saffi Vette last week at Piha, where she fought her way to the top of both the under-16 and under-18 women’s divisions. On finals day, competitors had to contend with a large, maxing swell reforming on the renowned Piha Bar which was a test of both fitness and nerve.
Saffi has been putting in the hard yards recently, not only clocking up a great number of hours in the surf but also in the form of cardio training with Gisborne-based former Olympian Michelle Rennie. In addition, Saffi has been training and patrolling with Wainui Surf Lifesaving Club, gaining the water knowledge and confidence required to negotiate challenging ocean conditions.
That hard worked allowed the 15 year old perform when pressure was on and conditions got tough.
