Daniel Kereopa : photo Al Ashworth

Northland Longboard Classic
in association with Hyundai 

Surfing New Zealand
Sandy Bay, New Zealand
4 - 5 February 2006

CLASSIC CONDITIONS FOR ROUND 2 OF THE HYUNDAI PRO LONGBOARD

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 4 February, 2006 : - - The second round of the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour kicked off this morning in small clean waves at Sandy Bay. 2006 marks the seventh year of the Northland Longboard Classic and the event continues to grow in popularity. With over one hundred entries this Waitangi weekend, the size of the field reflects the current longboarding revival in New Zealand. Contest director Mal Egginton was delighted with the turn out. “If the field gets any bigger we will need to look at extending the event duration from two days to three.” 

Daniel Kereopa easily progressed through round one of the men’s open with a stylish display of surfing. “DK” seamlessly combined new-school maneuvers from his short boarding repertoire with classic old-school longboarding. The Raglan surfer is better known for his results on a shortboard and for towing into giant waves. His recent progression into longboarding further cements DK’s place as a true all rounder in the sport. Kereopa will face tough opposition this weekend from the current national longboarding champion Michael Fitzharris (Gisborne) who also dominated in his first heat.  

Not to be outdone by the younger surfers, the men’s over 40 and over 50 categories offered some of the day one’s most impressive action. Mickey Thompson from Raglan provided an outstanding exhibition of progressive longboarding. Thompson recorded the one of the highest combined heat scores of the day with a 15.00. 

Sixteen year old Wini Paul set the pace in the round one of the woman’s. The Sandy Bay local is a top contender for the New Zealand junior team which will be selected next week. Paul had an excellent start to the year winning the woman’s longboard open at the Hyundai Surfing Nationals in the far north. Wini’s mother Pauline Pullman was a finalist in the same event.  

This morning’s clean conditions were adversely affected by a sea breeze in the afternoon. Contest organisers are hoping day two will see an increase in swell and a decrease in the wind. For more information on the event please contact Nick Harvey on 027 55 44 890.

The 2006 Northland Longboard Classic is proudly sponsored by Hyundai. The event would be not possible without the support of Surfing New Zealand and North Coast Boardriders.

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, Smoke, Freentin Drain.

www.surfingnz.co.nz

Previous reports:
# 1 : Hyundai sponsors new Pro Longboard NZ Tour 2006 
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Ben Kennings

Longboard Contests - Surfersvillage