The 2011 Auckland Surfing Champs took place at the Heli Pad bank at North Piha last Saturday, (12th November).

The forecast had been for tiny waves and light onshores on Saturday and big and stronger onshores on the Sunday.

It was a tough call for the organisers but the Saturday was chosen knowing what a 20 knot onshore can be like at Piha with no banks.

The competitors and judges were keen to charge ahead in the waist high waves, so the event was called 'on'.

What transpired through the day were results for 6 divisions, (the longboard and Over 40's were new) contested in small but largely clean conditions that didn't really cause any upsets except for one. Just one, but it was a major.

In an area that is normally Auckland's most ferocious battleground in the ongoing hussle between longboarders and shorboarders, NZ Longboard Champion, Thomas Kibblewhite, stomping turns and his rivals on his shortboard, reigned over all and took out the prestigious Auckland Open Men's shortboard title for 2011.

From Thomas' point of view, this was no accident or fluke. He'd been chasing the Auckland Champ title for 11 years and anyone who has seen him surf a shortboard knows he is a supreme waterman who can flair the tail on any length board.

Thomas' win was also no random result due to conditions. For once the waves improved going into the semi's and finals with a mid tide right hand bar like bank forming up straight out in front of the judges. Thomas needed every bit of his talent to hold out local boys Tane and Zen Wallis who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively, while Great Barrier charger, Sid West finished 4th very close behind.

In the semi finals, Thomas and Zen had progressed ahead of Taranaki ripper Batchelor Tipene and Auckland's Rick Lasch, while Tane and Sid used their youthful vigour to shut out Bevan Wiig and Mike Phillips.

In the Senior's (Over 28''s) Division, the final was a grudge match. Past NZ Junior Champ, Nat Barron placed 4th to ex- NZ Champs, Mike Phillips and Andreww Robinson, who placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.

First spot and Senior honours went to a fired up Piha local, Bevan Wiig. Bevan managed to find two long peeling walls to repetitively hit the lip on, and in his victory speech, likeThomas Kibblewhite would do after him, explained just how focused his intent was to win a trophy and what the Auckland Champs meant to him.

Bevan respectfully dedicated his win to recently departed Piha surfer and father,

Te Kauhoe Wano.

The Women's was another close affair with Bianca Sansom surfing skillfully to the win, relegating her twin sister Gabriella back to 4th, while Thandi Tipene placed 2nd, and Piha's next upcoming women's surf star, Claudia Fraser placed 3rd.

The Under 18's saw Tane Wallis and Sid West going head to head again with Tane narrowly taking the win. Gage Loomans placed 3rd and Lloyd Pownall 4th.

The Longboard final was another tight tussle between Thomas Kibblewhite, Zen Wallis and Andrew Robinson, all showing supreme skills and finishing a close 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively with ex-South Aftrican champ, Mark Hoyle, placing 4th.

Finally, the Over 40's was yet another square off of 'form' age group surfers.

Mark Hoyle surfed once again to 4th place on his shortboard, while 'uber' Judge, Trev Metcalf placed 3rd. 2nd place went to ex-Roaring 40's champ, Morgan Cronin while 2 times NZ Over 40 Champ Rick Lasch again showed his class to win the first place prize.

A big thanks to all competitors and their supporters, the judges and everyone who helped out. The event went off incredibly smoothly and efficiently despite the forecasts and the organisers would like to give special thanks to Quiksilver, Lifestream Spirulina, Etnies, FCS, Gorilla Grip, Matunas and Pure wax, The Body Workshop, Blairs on the Beach, Hardcore Surf, Piha Surf Shop and Jagermeister.

A special mention must also go to the Piha Cafe, for supplying vouchers and an awesome location to hold the prizegiving. Prize packs, beer and delicious pizzas were definitely a winnig combo.

Thanks also to the Lion Rock Boardriders Club ladies who supplied the food and beverages during the event and Reuben Fietje from 'shoot-edit-video' who put together highlights vid of the event.