Hyundai National Champs
Presented by Quiksilver

Surfing New Zealand
Piha Beach, Auckland
10 - 17 January 2009

Longboarders Hit the Water While Juniors Tussle

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 12 January, 2009 : - - The longboard divisions made their first appearance at the Hyundai National Surfing Championships presented by Quiksilver today (Monday) with huge scores being locked in during each heat. 

After the first event of the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour was played out in tiny conditions at Mount Maunganui a week ago, the chance to surf good overhead waves at the south end of Piha Beach was welcomed by the longboarders.

Conditions remained good for day three of the eight day event.  A 1.0m swell and light winds prevailed throughout the day.  The smaller swell conditions and big day of competition that was completed on Sunday meant that the Open Men’s surfers did not compete on day three.

Promising Wellington surfer Kirk Beyer is bigger than most surfers standing at 6’3”.  After failing to make it out of his first heat in the opening event of the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour, Beyer returned to form today and dominated his heat scoring 15.5 out of a possible 20.  Beyer moved through to the last 16 surfers as a result of today’s success.

Beyer pushed his big frame through some powerful turns.  “The waves have power here at Piha” commented Beyer.  “I have only surfed Piha once and that was at the last National Champs here in 2004 but I am liking the place already”.

Beyer is “confident” he can push on to the finals here “provided the waves stay the same size, I have a chance for sure”.  Beyer needs a big result at the nationals if he is to climb the ratings table. 

He can only contest four of the six events on tour this year but feels that a good result here could help his cause “I guess going in only four of six events means I have to win at least one event to have a chance at winning the tour”.

The two surfers that hold 14 of the 22 national longboard titles between them also showed some excellent form that bettered their younger competitors. 

Lynden Kennings (WGM) and Michael Fitzharris (Gis) both age in their forties but today that was no barrier to their performance as they surfed to scores of 15.75 and 14.75 respectively.

While Kennings had an excellent heat today he still felt that he would have to be “lucky” if he was to make it ten national titles in the longboard division.  “I guess it gets big then we older guys could kick some butt, we will have to wait and see”.

Kennings described Fitzharris as “absolutely ripping” and “probably one of the guys to beat”.  Fitzharris scored a 9.25 point ride to get him out of trouble mid way through his heat.  The wave comprised of several big turns and a nose ride to shore.  Fitzharris also dominated his competitors tactically forcing them off waves on more than one occasion.  This was the case for current ratings leader Dylan Barnfield (Ohope) who was unfortunately eliminated in the first round.

“Today was the first time in twelve months that I have competed on a longboard so I was a bit rusty to start but then it all fell into place on that set wave and I got the big score to put the pressure back on the other competitors” said Fitzharris.  “I am really here to support my daughter Jayda who is competing in three divisions so I am just enjoying being back in the competitive ring without too much pressure”.

Asked the question of a sixth longboard title Fitzharris was quick to comment “there are only sixteen of us left, the Nationals always brings a different playing field and add Piha to the mix and it is a gamblers nightmare”.

Michael Fitzharris : photo PhotoCPL

Daniel Kereopa (Rag) was one of several other surfers that won their heats.  Kereopa continued his run of form in the longboard posting the highest heat score of day – 16.75 out of 20.  Others to win their heats and move through to the quarterfinals included Sam Guthrie (Mnt), Matt Gillespie (Auck) and Daniel Proctor (Gis).

The Under 18 Boys Division saw some of the biggest tussles of the day.  All eyes were on heat six that included the inform Ryan Hawker (Piha), Buck Woods (Gis), Braedon Williams (WGM) and Michael Mallalieu (Tara).  The lead changed several times throughout the heat but the biggest turn of events came when heat leader Woods got an interference call against him for riding the same wave as Williams.  Ultimately Woods got pushed back to fourth as a result of the interference.  Hawker pushed on to win the heat with a score of 17.5 with Mallalieu in second place.

“At the start I was freaking cos the others had better scores than me” said Hawker.  “Then Buck got that interference and I got the wave after it which was my best score of a nine and that changed the course of the heat”.  Hawker could have been caught up in the interference with Woods and Williams but was too wise and pulled out of the paddle battle early.

Mount Maunganui’s Alex Dive and Gisborne’s Johnny Hicks also impressed with their performances.  Tight on rail surfing saw them score 17.5 each.  Hicks looked explosive on his backhand surfing vertically while Dive completed several tight hacks and an air reverse to accumulate his high heat score.

Day four (Tuesday) sees the introduction of the women’s divisions and the age group divisions for the senior men.  Five more days remain in the event.

The Hyundai National Championships presented by Quiksilver are being held at Piha Beach, Auckland from the 10th – 17th of January.  The event marks the second of six events on the 2008/09 Corona Crown Series and also the second event on the 2009 Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour.

Surfing New Zealand are proudly partnered by Corona, Hyundai, SPARC, Smokefree

Previous reports:
# 1 : Piha will host Hyundai National Champs by Quiksilver
# 2 : Excellent surf on tap for NZ's Hyundai National Champs
# 3 : Opening day perfection for the Hyundai National Champs
# 4 : Kereopa & Quinn do battle at Hyundai National Champs  

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