One minute on the clock. Fourth place. WSL wildcard or back to school. Alani Morse didn’t fancy the prospect of yet more maths. With deteriorating conditions, thunder and lightning approaching and heavy onshore winds, it was Manu Bay local knowledge that gave her an upper hand. The final horn sounded, she’d climbed the leaderboard into first but was blind to the judges’ decision. It took a throng of screaming groms rushing down the boat ramp to deliver the news. Tears, gasps, slaps of her board – it was sporting emotion at its purest.
Forty-eight hours later, she was laughing about it: “To be honest, the WSL wasn’t really the plan,” the Raglan local and wildcard entrant for the WSL’s upcoming New Zealand Pro explained. “The family house is actually being rented during the comp as I always thought I’d be heading to the US for Stab high. So yeah, I guess I’ll be homeless during the comp…” she joked. Easy to laugh when you’ve just pulled off the heat of your life. Those with a close eye on the Surfing NZ competitive circuit would argue that an achievement of this magnitude had been a long time coming. This year alone the 15-year-old has won five national titles, her ascent timed perfectly. New Zealand surfing is done waiting in Australia’s shadow.
For years, the Aussie surf scene has lured many young Kiwis across the Tasman, with prospects of greater exposure and opportunity to break into the sport. New Zealand is quietly challenging that script. The CT arrives next week. An Auckland wave pool is under construction. And in Raglan, a Surfing Academy has been producing the next generation. Alani is one of them – her sporting philosophy and mindset fine-tuned under the guidance of Larry Fisher, Deane Hishon and her coach, Daniel Keropa. Larry explained: “Water time is paramount at the Academy – we work on technique through video analysis, alongside the psychological skills needed to compete.” Billy Stairmand, another Academy product and Raglan local, is also suiting up for the CT event in NZ. The formula is working. “The Academy gives me an environment surrounded by like-minded kids, it pushes me every day,” Alani said. Her priorities, for now, remain firmly ordered. “School first, surfing second.”
Alani’s approach to surfing is mature, yet centered on stoke. She doesn’t flinch. When the heat’s on, she leans in. And with that ‘leave nothing on the table’ approach she proved why she deserves the opportunity to surf against some of her idols later this week, who (gentle reminder…) are on average ten years her senior. Fresh off a Snapper win, Steph Gilmore put words to what the whole tour is feeling: “The level of the women surfing has excelled at an incredible rate.” Alani isn’t just watching that movement, she is a part of it.
At just 5-years-old Alani was dropping in on huge skate bowls, coming away with second place at Mangawhai Bowl Jam and giving her older brother, Theo, a run for his money in the surf. “Keep pumping, Grommet,” Theo screams at Alani from the ski whilst out on the Raglan bar on a solid day. “We’ve been on this journey together to get here, so I’m super excited for her. I just knew something like this would eventually happen.” Theo said. Her feet are certainly still firmly on the ground, reinforced by reminders from her mum, Hanna, and ultimatums of “make sure you tidy your wardrobe before going out to surf with Tom Carroll.” There’s no escaping the house chores just because she has tasted success. Sat flicking through the photo albums of the kids growing up on the beach, the family pride needs no introduction. “We raised them by the ocean for good reason,” said Hanna. “It’s where we seek comfort in nature, it’s our happy place that we hoped would trickle down to the kids. All she wants to do is surf, she’s a frother.”
Even before she qualified, Alani was already set to rub shoulders with her idols at the Rising Tides event, a moment for the next generation of surfers to share the lineup with the best athletes from the sport. Alani is past that point now, she’ll going toe to toe with them. She’ll be seeded in the opening round at Raglan against Bettylou Sakura Johnson. It’s a prospect she’s taking in her stride: “I’m buzzing, I’ve already met Caity Simmers and love everything that she’s doing for the sport. I’m here to learn, whatever happens I will just focus on what I can control and surf to my plan.” Alani’s excitement is infectious. Steph Gilmore, basking in well-earned GOAT status, will gain comfort from knowing that women’s surfing has momentum as the tides continue to shift. On her local break, and with 4,000 Raglan locals behind her, will Alani be able to cause another upset? For now, she’s just got to find a place to sleep. It took the WSL fifty years to get to New Zealand, Alani has got one week to make sure they never forget it.
