Sunset at Fitzroy Beach 2

Taranaki, New Zealand, the third stop on the 2012 ASP Women’s World Tour. Rightly-so, this leg of the trip was tagged with the running moniker of ‘fun’. At 17 years old, Lakey is truly living the dream. The waves at the TSB Bank New Zealand Surf Festival were as good as they get… paired with amazing weather, beautiful scenery and great friends, you really can’t ask for more as a competitor. Bettering both of her first two tour stops, Lakey found her way to a the semi-finals in Taranaki, notching the highest single wave score of the event with a 9.85 and securing a current 6th place ranking on the World Tour. But beyond that, she’s having fun with it and taking the time to enjoy each place she goes. On some of her down time Lakey did some exploring in the NZ bush, walking lush botanical gardens and helicoptering into the legendary Jurassic Falls. The pictures below tell the story better than I ever could, so check out PART II of the EN ROUTE with Lakey Peterson photo journal below, and since I’ve already labeled this part of the trip with the word ‘fun’, heres a few ‘fun’ facts about the island country of New Zealand. Check PART I here.

1. A kiwi is not a fruit – it is New Zealand’s native flightless bird and a slang term for a New Zealander. Kiwis call the fruit “kiwifruit” – they are also known as Chinese Gooseberries.

2. New Zealand was the first country to have its three top positions of power held simultaneously by women: The Prime Minister (Helen Clark), the Governor General (Dame Silvia Cartwright), and the Chief Justice (Sian Elias).

3. New Zealand was the first major nation to have universal suffrage. In 1893 it became legal for all male and female citizens of New Zealand to vote. (facts provided by: www.listverse.com)

Copy & Photos by Aaron Lieber

The world of sports is constantly in search of the next super-star. A relentless game of “who was, who is and who will be.” In Basketball, it was Micheal Jordan, it is Kobe Bryant and it will be Lebron James… or so the debate continues. In the competitive dog eat dog fight that is women’s surfing it was Layne Beachley and her 7 world titles, it is Stephanie Gilmore and her current 4 world titles, and then theres the question of… who’s next? The 2012 Women’s Tour is stacked with amazing young talent. Leading the pack, with 1 world title already under her belt, 19 year-old Carissa Moore is an obvious favorite, although just one of many Carissa finds herself competing right alongside the ripping-likes of Coco Ho, Laura Enever, Sally Fitzgibbons, Malia Manuel, Courtney Conlogue and Tyler Wright. And yet still another name emerges, as 17 year-old Lakey Peterson qualifies to the 2012 Women’s World Tour and steps-up against the best in the world. Introduced to surfing in Manly Beach, Australia at age 5, Lakey didn’t actually start taking surfing seriously until age 11. Three short years later the virtually unknown 14 year old competed in her NSSA Open Women’s Division debut, landing the first-ever air in a women’s contest, Lakey made surf history to claim top honors and garner industry-wide attention. Jump three more years and the now 17 year-old Lakey is competing against the best 17 women in the world. Only time will tell what will happen in the next three years and who among all these amazing talents will rise to the top to create their legacy. In the meantime, check out PART 1 of Lakey’s 2012 ASP photo-journal below, from the second stop on the World Tour in Bells Beach Australia, and stay tuned for PARTS 2 & 3 to drop shortly.

As the sun sets a new star rises (Silhouette of Lakey Peterson) photo: Aaron Lieber

Copy & Photos by Aaron Lieber