Michael Fitzharris : photo Al Ashworth

Northland Longboard Classic
in association with Hyundai 

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

BIG GUNS GO HEAD TO HEAD AT NORTHLAND LONGBOARD CLASSIC

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 5 February, 2006 : - - Six times national longboarding champion Michael Fitzharris had his hand full at the men’s open final today in round two of the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour. Daniel Kereopa, the current national shortboard circuit champion was expected to be the veteran’s main source of competition. Unfortunately the waves were not on Kereopa’s side and he had to settle for fourth place. Fitzharris is reknowned as a ruthless competitor on the water and this was again displayed as he secured the best waves of the final. Posting a heat score of 16.4 out of a possible 20, the Gisborne surfer continued his domination of the national series. 

Fitzharris should have been odds on for the highest heat score of the day. That would have been the case except for Northland surfer Dylan Barnfield. In the last 5 minutes of the junior men’s final Barnfield achieved every competitive surfer’s dream with a 10 point ride. This rare score can only be given where all 5 judges independently assign the score. It indicates that in their opinion the wave could not have been surfed any better. The ride itself was sublime combining several tight turns in the pocket and high speed nose riding. The performance delighted the crowd on the beach and when the perfect score was announced Barnfield raised both fists in triumph. His second highest wave was a solid 7.65, taking his total heat score to and unassailable 17.65. 

The “Over 50’s” division showcases the true veterans of the sport and their finals provided no less entertainment than the men’s open or juniors. The structure of the competition allows surfers to catch a maximum of 10 waves in a 20 minute time period. The two highest scores are added together to provide the total heat score. Orewa’s Paul Browne got off to a scorching start with a 6.25 followed immediately by an 8.25. This lead appeared unassailable until the three quarter mark when Browne was penalized for interference after unintentionally paddling onto a wave being ridden by second placed finalist David Storck from Auckland. The penalty results in a surfer’s highest wave score being halved. Amazingly, even after the penalty Browne was able to hang onto a slender lead of less than 2 points to take the title. 

In similar circumstances to last month’s longboard final at the Hyundai New Zealand Surfing Nationals, mother daughter combination Pauline Pullman and Wini Paul fought it out in the final of the woman’s open. Youth prevailed on the day, although only narrowly. The Sandy Bay family are now hoping that Wini gains selection into the NZ junior woman’s team for the junior world championships in Brazil.   

RESULTS FOLLOW 

Men’s Open
1st Michael Fitzharris (Gis)
2nd Tom Kibblewhite (Akl)
3rd Mathew Cockayne (Mngwhai)
4th Daniel Kereopa (Rag) 

Woman’s Open
1st Wini Paul (Sandy Bay)
2nd Pauline Pullman (Sandy Bay)
3rd Josephine Moore (Muriwai)
4th Lucy Parks (Akl)

Over 50’s
1st Paul Browne (Orewa)
2nd David Storck (Akl)
3rd Allan McDonald (Oakura)
4th John Ayton (NCB) 

Over 40’s
1st Brendon Young (Hawkes Bay)
2nd Roger Hall (Bream Bay)
3rd Mike Thompson (Rag)
4th Ian Wood (Akl) 

Junior Men’s
1st Dylan Barnfield (Ohope)
2nd Kirk Beyer (Wgtn)
3rd Sam Guthrie (Mnt Maunganui)
4th Warren McKenzie (Hawkes Bay) 

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 : Classic conditions ignite Hyundai Longboard Classic

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Ben Kennings

Longboard Contests - Surfersvillage