Jay Quinn : photo courtesy New Zealand Surfing Magazine

Hyundai National Surfing Championships 2006

Surfing New Zealand
Ahipara, Northland
7 - 14 January 2006

ACTION HEATS UP IN ROUND TWO OF THE OPEN MENS DIVISION

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 January, 2006 : - - Round two of the Open Men’s division hit the water early this morning (Sunday) at the Hyundai National Surfing Championships held in Northland. The event was relocated to the Bluff, a powerful beach break set up that offered solid 1.0m – 1.5m waves and offshore winds.

The eagerly anticipated return of Jay Quinn (Gis) was witnessed by all on the beach. Jay bases himself in Australia close to the hotbed of international talent but for the past three years he has returned home to contest the Nationals. He didn’t disappoint everyone comfortably winning through to the third round with precision surfing and he will now join the likes of his older brother Maz and Daniel Kereopa (Rag) in the third round. The top seeds at the event have had the luxuary of spending the last few days warming up in the far north surf.

Other winners early on day two were AJ Matthews (WGM) who scored an impressive 15.0 out of 20 which was the highest score of the round. The slight statured goofy footer managed to latch on to some great right-handers and surfed tight in the pocket to be rewarded well. Dane Simpson (Gis) continued where he left off on day one winning through to round three and appears to be getting a good roll on as he moves into the business end of the event. Taranaki’s Batchelor Tipene and Christchurch’s Jamie Patten also had big smiles on their faces as they exited the water ahead of their fellow competitors. Northland surfers to progress included the highly touted Steve Thompson and Chad Dowsett both of Whangarei. Former Ahipara local Oli Adams who now resides in England also continued his run of wins in this event.

New Zealand’s top juniors dominated their round two encounters as predicted with Keirin Van Der Helder (Rag), Ryan Hawker (Piha), Dean Amess (WGM) and Billy Stairmand (Rag) all putting on their best acts to win heats. Van Der Helder was the highest scorer of the four national representatives with 16.0 out of 20. Gauranga Ormond (WGM) made a mends for his earlier Open Men’s round two exit and will come up against Luke Hughes (Rag), another of the days standouts, in the quarters. In a shock result Mount Maunganui’s Tim O’Connor was eliminated from the event after being relegated to third place in his heat by Stairmand and local surfer Joseph Brajkovich. A number of the junior surfers will be out to prove a point and impress prior to the national junior team being selected at the beginning of February in four weeks time.

Kaikoura’s Angie Koops was in sizzling form as she rode to the highest heat score for the Women’s round one with 16.5 pushing defending champion Jessica Santorik (Rag) into second. The two girls will surf against each other in the quarter finals against Jessica Welch (Gis) and Leilani Morgan (Chch). Kelly Clarkson (Rag), Lisa Hurunui (Gis) and Paige Hareb (Tara) all showed that they deserved their favourite tags as well winning their heats.

With a decreasing swell, organisers have made the call that day three will be held at the Bluff again with a start time of 8am. Divisions to be contested will be Longboard, Over 35s, 40s, 45s and 50s as well as the Under 14 Boys (in no particular order).

Full results & photos are available here

Previous reports:
# 1 : Hyundai Surfing Championships draws top NZ surfers 
# 2 : Pines turns it on for Hyundai National Surfing Champs  
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  
# 5 : Coming soon
# 6 : Coming soon
# 7 : Coming soon  

Complete lists of all National Champions are lavailable at;– www.surfingnz.co.nz/history.htm. 

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Ben Kennings
benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz

SNZ Contests - Surfersvillage