Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour

Surfing New Zealand
Six Events
January - May 2006

Hyundai riding on the nose of the new Longboard Tour

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 3 February, 2006 : - - The Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour features six events throughout the country with the finale being staged in May at Gisborne – home to the best surfers and surf in New Zealand. Longboard surfing has made a huge resurgence in recent years with numbers swelling throughout the world, and New Zealand is no different. 

Recent statistics released by Surfing New Zealand, the national sporting body, show that 57 percent of surfers have ridden a longboard in the past 12 months while 24 percent of surfers name longboarding as their preferred method to ride the waves. “With longboarding numbers growing in New Zealand, Hyundai has hopped aboard with slogan Drive your way,” commented Hyundai Brand Manager Quentin Drain.

“Here is a sport which is synonymous with the adventure and confidence that is Hyundai, emerging as a bold but thoughtful way to have fun.” Hyundai has been involved with Surfing New Zealand for the past two years, this year sponsoring the national champs and now the longboard tour. “The relationship with Hyundai is now having a serious impact on the sport of surfing and particularly longboarding in this country,” explained Surfing New Zealand Executive Officer, Greg Townsend.

He can’t wait to see the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour kick into action this weekend. “This will be the best series of longboard events to be staged in New Zealand,” he said. “It’s a brilliant opportunity for surfers to get out there and perform on their own tour and make the most of what looks to be an exciting summer ahead.  

“This type of series would not be possible without the support of Hyundai.  Surfing New Zealand is right behind the tour and wants to make sure it’s every part a raging success.” The Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour officially started as part of the Hyundai National Championships held in Northland at the beginning of the year.  This weekend brings the first fully-fledged tour event that caters solely for longboard surfers.  

All events on the tour have five divisions including Open Men, Women, Junior (U18), Over 40s and Over 50s.  The events are full of fun and a great time at the beach.  Hyundai has huge hospitality areas for competitors and spectators alike to make themselves more than comfortable while at the beach.  

This weekend’s event is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Sandy Bay, Whangarei.  One hundred of New Zealand’s top longboarders are set to take part and with tropical cyclone Jim having passed down the East Coast, organisers are confident of a good swell for the surfers to contest. 

Six time and defending National Longboard Champion Michael Fitzharris (Gisborne) has the early points advantage after his win at the National Champs and will go into the event as the number one seed.  Fitzharris won the same event last year so is familiar with the wave and how it breaks.  

Fellow Gisbornites Daniel Procter and Kelly Ryan who finished two and three on last year’s ratings will also be out to secure a good result at the event and make sure they stay in touch with the leading bunch on the 2006 ratings.  

Others to watch will be Daniel Kereopa (Raglan), Tony Baker (Wellsford) and Thomas Kibblewhite (Auckland) who were all finalists at the National Champs three weeks ago. 

Event dates for the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour:

Hyundai National Surfing Championships, Northland – 7th – 14th January
Northland Longboard Classic in association with Hyundai, Sandy Bay – 4th – 5th February
Hyundai Pro Longboard, Port Waikato – 18th – 19th February
“V” South Island International Longboard Pro-Am in association with Hyundai, Kaikoura – 17th – 19th March
Hyundai Pro Longboard, Mount Maunganui – 25th – 26th March
Hyundai Pro Longboard, Gisborne – 13th – 14th May

Surfing New Zealand are proudly partnered by Hyundai Lion Red Vodafone SPARC Smokefreentin Drain

www.surfingnz.co.nz

Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Ben Kennings

Longboard Contests - Surfersvillage