By Jeff McTainsh
The West Auckland beach of Piha has the honour of hosting the World Junior Surfing Champs early next year.
Surfing New Zealand secured the event ahead of hot spots Costa Rica and Peru and it will be the first time the events been held in Australasia in over 25 years.
The spectacle will be held from the January 20-28, attracting 250 of the worlds best under-18 surfers from almost 30 countries.
It has been a combined effort headed by Surfing New Zealand and backed by the Auckland and Waitakere City Councils and the nine day event is set to pump $5 million into the local economy.
Preparations are underway and a New Zealand squad of 12 is expected to be announced in the next couple of weeks.
3 News