RnR South Island International Longboard Pro-Am

Hynday Pro Longboard Tour Event # 5
Kaikoura, New Zealand
14 - 16 March 2008

Kiwi’s Lay Challenge to Sole Aussie Surfer at RnR South Island International Longboard Pro-Am

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 March, 2008 : - - Day two of the R&R South Island Longboard Pro Am (event five of the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour) got underway in perfect conditions for both competitors and spectators at Meatworks Beach, Kaikoura.  Situated seven kilometres north of the Kaikoura, the Meatworks break produced 1 metre, A - framed peaks for the early rounds.

Daryn McBride (Mt) became the first surprise casualty of the morning after losing his quarterfinal Open heat to 2007 Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour winner Daniel Kereopa (Rag) and Mathew Cockayne (Mngwhai).  Kereopa, whose ankle is heavily strapped, showed no signs that his injury is bothering him as he proceeded to perform a series of sweeping cutbacks and nose riders and in doing so progressing to the semi-finals.

Quarterfinal Heat 3 saw a battle between the traditional longboarding of Jackson Close (Aust) and the “new school” style of Dunedin’s, Shayne Baxter. Close’s wave choice and committed turns won out in the end, although Baxter continued to push the boundaries with tail slides and 360 degree turns thrown into the mix.  Winner of Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour Event Four, Daniel Proctor (Gis) and Mike Burling (Gis) also progressed without too much trouble.

In the Women’s, the absence of Tour leader Daisy Thomas did not lower the standard of surfing one bit.  Standouts from the early round were Eve Welsh (ChCh), Hannah Phillips (ChCh), Sophia Moore (Muwai) and Claire Norman from Australia.  Moore and Norman were equally impressive with their variety of moves and committed approached.

The Over 50’s Quarter- finals saw the surf conditions deteriorate somewhat as the tide began it’s push in.  Current Over 50’s tour leader Viv Treacy progressed and continues to look like the gentleman to beat, especially after Grant Cochrane (ChCh) who holds to number two spot on the tour, finished his heat with a committed re-entry onto the inside rock shelve only to resurface with a suspected broken collarbone.  Cochrane won his heat but is unlikely to surf in the remainder of the event and was last seen heading for hospital.

With conditions becoming dangerous because of the nature of the swell and with the only ride-able waves breaking metres from the beach the contest was placed on hold for a couple of hours. This proved to be a good call as the swell re-kicked and conditions returned too the early morning standard.  The sun continued to shine as the speciality Noseriding event hit the water.

The Noseriding event allows each surfer the ability to catch as many waves as they can during their heat, but only allowing each surfer to claim two scoring waves. Some surfers were forced to claim low scoring waves or having no score to their name because of being too cautious.  Mike Burling (Gis) was one such person, as was Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck).

Standouts were Daryn McBride, Warren McKenzie, Paul Culpan and Jackson Close, all of whom managed to spend enough time on the nose of their board to score points and win their heats.

Previous reports:
# 1 : RnR South Island Int Longboard Pro-Am gets early start
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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