Taranaki Wave Classic – The Event 1983 was the year that the Taranaki Wave Classic was born, in it’s first guise as the Sirocco Expression Session. Biggie Smithers, along with his board brand Sirocco, ran the first wave sailing contest in Taranaki. It was designed to maximise time on the water for all competitors – this format proved an instant success with 60-70 sailors participating. By this time Carbon Art had moved into the region and was bringing the latest Maui windsurfing shapes and technology to Taranaki’s shores. In 1998 Carbon Art lifted the load off Biggie shoulders and continued with the event rebranded the Carbon Art Classic.