Tough conditions bring out the best in Torquay Pirates

THE Torquay Pirates braved the ferocious waves of Piha Beach to claim victory at the Piha Day of Giants at the weekend.

The Day of Giants event on February 1 saw surf boat teams race at the notoriously rough New Zealand beach on a day where waves reached up to 12 feet.

The Torquay Pirates not only won the Under 23 Men’s category but also finished second in the Open category.

Torquay Pirates coach and sweep Scott Tannahill said he was delighted with the team’s performance.

“They did very, very well, I’m very proud of them. They did Torquay proud and they did the Surf Coast proud.”

Tannahill said it was a great experience for the team to race in the trying conditions.

“They wouldn’t race in those sorts of conditions in Australia now because of our safety guidelines, and if it (the surf) was any bigger they wouldn’t have raced.”

“They’ll never be scared going in any surf again after that.”

The team will soon be off to Mollymook to represent Victoria in the Australian Surf Rowers League.