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Hyundai National Surfing Champs Return to Piha in 2013 |
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Written by Ben Kennings
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Monday, 29 October 2012 |
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| Billy Stairmand - Image PhotoCPL |
The coveted Hyundai National Surfing Championships will return to Piha Beach, Auckland in early 2013 and will play host to the best surfers from throughout New Zealand.
The event will take place from the 13th – 19th January at
the south end of Auckland’s famous Piha Beach.
Over 300 entries are expected for the event which caters for every
surfing discipline and age group on offer.
The event was held at Piha in January this year and typically experienced an
ever changing ocean and surface conditions.
Piha offers up every surf condition possible, even during ‘settled’ summer
months. Over the seven event days the
surf can range anywhere from 0.5m through to 2.0m plus. The conditions generally mean that surfers
have to be used to anything that is thrown at them to make it through to the
finals and challenge for the most prestigious cup in New Zealand surfing.
100% Kiwi owned Hyundai New
Zealand has continued their title sponsorship of the event as well as
continuing as the main supporter of surfing in New Zealand. Combined with
the Nationals, Hyundai New Zealand also focus their efforts on the longboarding
through the world renowned Hyundai Tour.
Andy Sinclair, General Manager for Hyundai New Zealand says “We are proud to be
involved with the Hyundai National Championships for the 9th year
running. We are looking forward to a hot summer, some good waves and watching
some first class surfing. This will be a great family event so pack up the
kids, dig out the jandals and come and check out the action for yourselves.”
Greg Townsend, CEO for Surfing New Zealand was delighted with the renewal of
the partnership between Surfing New Zealand and Hyundai. “We are heartened to have Hyundai on board
again. They have been a fantastic
partner and supporter for the past eight years and we will be working closely with
them throughout this summer to deliver great events and opportunities for the
surfers of New Zealand. This partnership
is crucial for the ongoing development of Surfing New Zealand and New Zealand
surfing.”
The 2012 and 50th edition of the National Champs was won by Raglan
surfer Billy Stairmand who claimed his second title, the first being in
2010. Stairmand has briefly returned
from Europe before he exits to Hawaii for the final leg of the ASP World
Qualifying Series over the next six weeks.
He is ranked 75th on the ASP World Tour.
“Nationals
at Piha again, stoked” Stairmand said on hearing the news. “Piha is similar to Raglan, there is always that
little left in the corner and the beach is the same too just a rugged West Coast
beachie” he added.
For
Stairmand the domestic event represents a mix of good times as well as the build-up
to his next international campaign and a time to focus again. “The Nationals is an amazing way to start the
year competing against all the best surfers in New Zealand. End of December and January is usually a
relaxing time for me after three months through America and Europe then one
month in Hawaii but that doesn’t mean I will not be focused on the event.”
And
rest assured that Stairmand has his sights set on a title defence. “I always dreamed of being NZ champ. But
three? Defending the title, it’d be a dream
come true.”
Taranaki’s Thandi Durham – Tipene took her maiden win in the Open Women’s
Division in January staving off challenges from the younger girls that are
coming through the ranks. Durham battled
away for several years before completing her breakthrough performance.
“Winning
the nationals this year was very satisfying” said Durham – Tipene reflecting on
the win which in part she puts down to a change in thinking. “Yeah in a way I do see the win as breaking
down a barrier but mostly that believing in yourself and backing yourself 110%
will inevitably mean you realise your goals.”
Stairmand and Durham – Tipene lead the way for the premier divisions but 25
national titles will go up for grabs at the Hyundai National Championships come
January 2013. Additional divisions
comprise of age groups from Under 14 through to Over 50s and also longboard,
Stand Up Paddleboard, Bodyboard and Kneeboard disciplines.
The event is the first event of
the New Zealand Pro Series and second of five on the 2013 Hyundai Tour.
It will be the tenth time the event has been held at Piha. The Hyundai National Surfing Championships is
the most prestigious domestic surfing event in New Zealand.
Set out below are the winners of key divisions for the past five years.
Open Men
2008 – Jay Quinn (Gis)
2009 – Matt Hewitt (Mnt)
2010 – Billy Stairmand (Rag)
2011 – Jay Quinn (Gis)
2012 – Billy Stairmand (Rag)
Open Women
2008 – Angie Koops (Kaik)
2009 – Daisy Thomas (Chch)
2010 – Laura Rishworth (Mnt)
2011 – Airini Mason (Chch)
2012 – Thandi Durham (Tara)
Junior Men (U/18)
2008 – Sean Peggs (Tairua)
2009 – Ryan Hawker (Piha)
2010 – Johnny Hicks (Gis)
2011 – Ben Poulter (Rag)
2012 – Tane Wallis (Auck)
Longboard
2008 – Jay Quinn (Gis)
2009 – Daniel Proctor (Gis)
2010 – Dylan Barnfield
(Ohope)
2011 – Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck)
2012 – Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck)
Complete lists of all
National Champions are located on the Surfing New
Zealand website under History.
Entry into the Hyundai National Championships can be completed at Surfing New Zealand under events from 1st
December. Complete the entry process
online or download entry forms and send them in.
Further
Information
For further information on the 2012 Hyundai National
Championships please contact Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings on 021 2278732
or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz. Alternatively contact Hyundai New Zealand
representative Darren Kirkland on 021998124 or email dkirkland@hyundai.co.nz
Imagery
Web clips and newsfeeds will be distributed free of charge from the event. Please contact Ben Kennings for further
details.
High resolution action images of the surfing will be available to media free of
charge upon request.
Event Hotline
The Surfing New Zealand event hotline is 0211134506. This will be updated daily at approximately
7am with venue, divisions contested and conditions.
Partners
Generous support from Hyundai New Zealand and Lion Rock Boardriders has
made this event possible.
Surfing New Zealand Newsletter
If you want to keep updated with surfing information delivered right to your
inbox then sign up to the SNZ
Newsletter.
Follow Surfing New Zealand and the
Hyundai National Championships
Live results will be fed to the SNZ website via twitter so stay tuned with up
to date results. Alternatively follow
the action via the SNZ
Facebook and SNZ Twitter.
Surfing New Zealand are proudly partnered by:
Hyundai New Zealand
Sport NZ
SunSmart
Ends
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HEADLINES |
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FEATURED SURFER |
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VOTE NOW |
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LATEST RESULTS |
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SOL SURF SERIES |
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NZ Pro Series |
1. Maz Quinn (Gis)
2. Sean Peggs (Tai)
3. JC Susan (Mnt)
4. Zen Wallis (Piha)
5. Dune Kennings (WGM)
6. Chris Malone (Rag)
7. Matt Hewitt (Mnt)
8. Leon Santorik (Rag)
9. Bachelor Tipene (Tara)
10. Tane Wallis (Piha) |
| 2013 NZ Pro Series Ratings |
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HYUNDAI LONGBOARD |
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1, Daniel
Proctor (Gis)
2, Ant
McColl (Mnt)
3, Zen
Wallis (Piha)
4, Thomas
Kibblewhite (Auck)
5, Phil
Morris (Auck)
6, Owen
Barnes (Mnt)
7, Glen
Johnson (Auck)
8, Duncan
Cameron (Mnt)
9, Matt
Cockayne (Mngwhai)
10, Dylan
Barnfield (Ohope)
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| 2013 Hyundai Tour Ratings |
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GROMMET SERIES |
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Under 16 Boys
1. Kehu Butler (Mnt)
2. Taylor Hutchison (Rag)
3. Isaac Kettle (Tara)
4. Callum Chuter (Mnt)
5. RagHarrison Whiteside (Chch)
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Under 16 Girls
1. Claudia Fraser (Piha)
2. Kea Smith (Mnt)
3. Britt Kindred (Muri)
4. Dayna Story (Gis)
5. Jasmine Smith (Gis) |
| 2013 NZ Grom Ratings |
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