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Let us take you through a chronology of New Zealand Surfing History. Not everything has been noted down so if you feel that you can contribute to this timeline we would love to hear from you. Send us a message benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz or you could allows put it on paper and send it to our head office and we will get it into the computer for you. Happy reading and may it jog your memories on the good times past.
1963
The first national championships were held at Mount Maunganui and won by Peter Way.
1968
The famous New Zealand surf movie Children of the Sun was released featuring the best surfers the country had to offer.
1976
New Zealand hosts the Amco/Radio Hauraki Pro at North Piha which became the first event of the very first year of the World Professional Surfing Tour. The event was won by Michael Peterson.
1980
Taranaki held the National Champs. Wayne Arthur was involved in running the event and at the AGM, was elected President. Prior to that NZ Surf Life Saving Chairman (Peter Fitzsimmons) held the post of Caretaker President.
1981
A core of regional reps were selected to aid the president, Wayne Arthur wrote to Peter Fitzsimmons stating that the New Zealand Surfing Association was in good heart and that we thanked him for his role as caretaker - but give us the bloody keys back. Tongue in cheek.
1982
The New Zealand Surfing Circuit was formed with a series of events held throughout the country. The New Zealand team attended the World Championships which were held in Australia.
1984
New Zealand team toured to the World Championships in California. An ambitious tour that involved comps against Hawaii - beaten, Peru - won and Brazil - beaten before going to the main event held at Huntington Beach.
1986
New Zealand team toured England for the World Surfing Games. After the event the team toured Ireland for a test match which they won. Wayne Spence was elected president of the New Zealand Surfing Association.
1987
Iain Buchanan wins his fifth straight Open Men’s National Title equalling Wayne Parkes record. Buchanan goes on to compete on the world tour finishing 34th overall – the highest a Kiwi has ever placed. In doing so Buchanan gets the Eddie Aikau award for the best newcomer
1989
First New Zealand junior surfing team selected to compete at the inaugural World Grommet Titles. The tour led by Carol Cranch becomes the gateway for many of New Zealand’s top surfers. The international event later transformed into the World Junior Championships.
1990
Nationals were held in Dunedin and won by Lynden Kennings. Peter Fitzsimmons was elected as the president of the New Zealand Surfing Association in what many claim was a pivotal direction change for the sport.
The second National Scholastics event Raglan. Run by Cranch sisters Carol and Janice. Maz's first big event, places 7th. Carol reckons Maz has potential and invites Quinn's to Bali anyway, just development, good move!
Coca Cola get involved with surfing in what turns out to be a six year relationship.
1992
Nationals held at Gisborne where Motu Mataa completes the Open/Juniors double. Bob Davie and Taff Kennings approach Gary Quinn about taking on voluntary role as the Executive Officer of New Zealand Surfing Association. Quinn immediately thrust into organising NZ circuit, Bali Grommet team and World team to France same year. Quinn meets Wayne Brown.
ISA World Championships - Lacanau France. Wayne Brown and Rod Rust manage the team. Maz at 16 taken again for development thrives in French waves, sign of things to come. Side trip to Thurso Scotland. International test Ireland Scotland and England. Kiwi's prevail.
1995
New Zealand hosts its first ASP World Qualifying Series event at Raglan – The Billabong Pro. The event is won by Luke Egan. The event is continued for the following two years. New Zealand Surfing Association employees its first paid employee Greg Townsend and is based out of Dunedin. Steve Ria becomes the Maori Coordinator on a voluntary basis.
1996
Maz Quinn wins the Billabong Pro-Junior Series in Australia then goes on to Europe to compete in the World Pro Junior final in France coming second overall to Taj Burrows.
1997
The New Zealand Surfing Association rebrands to become Surfing New Zealand in a move that many sporting organisations follow in latter years. The New Zealand Health Sponsorship Council through Smokefree sponsor Surfing New Zealand.
1999
Telecom comes to the party with corporate sponsorship of the association through the Boost mobile brand. Sponsorship involves naming rights to the Nationals, Scholastics and sponsorship of a number of New Zealand’s top surfers.
2000
Dominion Breweries sponsor Surfing New Zealand through the DB Export brand.
2001
Maz Quinn places 7th on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) to qualify for the World Championship Tour (WCT) – the first Kiwi to do so. Quinn becomes a household name in New Zealand. Jay Quinn becomes New Zealand’s first Junior World Champion at the event staged in Australia. The New Zealand team win the teams event on the back of Quinn and a rampaging Bobby Hansen who places second in the Under 16s.
Surfing New Zealand designs a new logo that incorporates the culture of the country.
Lion Breweries come on board with Surfing New Zealand in a lucrative three year deal.
2002
Maz Quinn finishes 36th on the WCT and is unfortunately relegated back to the WQS.
2003
The national office of Surfing New Zealand relocates to Raglan. The move allows the organisation to be located close to Auckland and coincides with the addition of two further full time staff.
New Zealand host the Oxbow World Longboarding Championships at Raglan. The event was won by Beau Young – son of the legendary Nat Young.
Taranaki sets the stage for the ISA World Surfing Masters where New Zealand take home three world titles.
2004
Hyundai get involved with SNZ in a relationship that continues to this point in time with sponsorship of the Nationals and the newly restructured Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour.
2005
New Zealand plays host to the Vodafone Surf Sessions at Piha Beach. The unique event pitches Andy Irons, Mark Occhilupo, Sunny Garcia and Joel Parkinson against Maz Quinn, Daniel Kereopa, Bobby Hansen and Morehu Roberts. An estimated 15,000 people flock to the beach to witness the action.
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