Kereopa and Quinn Do Battle

Daniel Kereopa (Raglan) got the upper hand over Maz Quinn (Gis) today when the two surfers placed first and second respectively in their fourth round heat at the Hyundai National Surfing Championships presented by Quiksilver.

The most anticipated heat of the event to date took place in excellent conditions at South Piha with the Open Men’s Division being held off until the low tide in the afternoon. The low tide formed some perfect 1.5m – 2.0m waves and the surfers put on an exceptional show all day.

Kereopa scored 16.20 out of a possible 20 points to win the heat over Maz Quinn who posted 14.75. Together the two surfers defeated Nick White (Mnt) and Dane Simpson (Gis).

“Absolutely wrapped” commented Kereopa on his performance today “I have achieved my goal for the event”.

The event is only half way through with surfers having to compete another two times before getting to the final and a chance at securing a title. However Kereopa was clearly stoked “I have had a chance to beat Maz who I regard as the champ and I did it”.

Kereopa now faces off with defending event champion Jay Quinn (Gis) in the quarterfinal as well as Tim O’Connor (Mnt) and 2008 runner up Matt Scorringe (WGM). “I am just having a good time. There is still no pressure on me. I came into the event to gauge myself and seem to be doing alright” commented Kereopa on his upcoming heat.

“The biggest threat is the wave itself. Piha changes its mood every hour. The person who adjusts the best will win. All the boys are surfing real good so the guy who masters the conditions will have the edge” added Kereopa.

Jay Quinn progressed through his fourth round heat in the same fashion as his brother – in second place. Quinn had a tough time of it in his heat scoring 11.75 but it was enough to move through in second place behind Gisborne’s Chris Malone.

Older brother Maz Quinn (Gis) was just happy “to get his first heat out of the way” and keep his chances alive for an elusive fifth national title.

“Nah I am not too fazed” commented Quinn of his performance “the conditions sort of have a lot to do with the results because you can be in the right spot and get a bomb or you can get nothing in your heat”.

“It has shown though in all the heats today” commented Quinn on the results of the day and surfers that have made huge scores and others that got low scores. “The bank is good, it is just a little tricky”.

Other surfers that impressed today were Raglan’s Leon Santorik who likened the waves to Manu Bay – his favourite break at Raglan. Santorik scored 15.20 in his heat to progress alongside Piha local and 1997 National Champion Andrew Robinson. “The waves were these big, bowly lefthanders so I felt real confident. The waves were just like home” said Santorik.

Santorik, a previous runner up at the National Champs in 2005 has been through a flat spot and his progression today marked the first heat he made in three events “I have finally broken the curse, anything from here is all good” commented Santorik in regards to a possible progression through to the semifinals later in the week.

Matt Hewitt led the charge for the Bay of Plenty surfers posting 15.00 in his heat which included a near perfect 9.0 point ride. Hewitt smashed two huge turns on one wave for his highest score which turned his heat around after falling on the first two waves. “I was stoked to get that wave. I fell on the first two so I needed that wave” adding “I am real stoked especially since the waves are good and this is a good warm up for the juniors which are likely to take place tomorrow”.

Today’s heat winners included Chris Malone (Gis), Blair Stewart (Gis), Tim O’Connor (Mnt), Luke Cederman (Rag), and Dan Scott (WGM).

Earlier in the day the Under 16 Boys Division was surfed down to the semifinals with local surfer Tane Wallis dominating proceedings with easily the highest heat score of the division – 14.00 out of 20. Others to impress included Ben Poulter (Rag), Todd Doyle (Mnt) and Damo Norman (Aus).

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.

Please see below for results from day two of the Hyundai National Surfing Championships presented by Quiksilver.

Open Men’s Round 4

Heat 1

Chris Malone (Gis), 1, Jay Quinn (Gis), 2, Ryan Hawker (Piha), 3, Tane Wallis (Piha), 4

Heat 2

Blair Stewart (Gis), 1, Matt Scorringe (Whmata), 2, Paco Divers (Sandy Bay), 3, Rowan Aish (Muriwai), 4

Heat 3

Tim O’Connor (Mnt), 1, Kierin Van Der Helder (Rag), 2, Danny Carse (Ota), 3, Nathan Welch (Gis), 4

Heat 4

Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 1, Maz Quinn (Gis), 2, Nick White (Mnt), 3, Dane Simpson (Gis), 4

Heat 5

Luke Cederman (Rag), 1, Luke Hughes (Rag), 2, Felix Dickson (Ota), 3, Adam Cranston (Gis), 4

Heat 6

Leon Santorik (Rag), 1, Andrew Robinson (Auck), 2, Sean Peggs (Whmata), 3, Ben Kennings (Whmata), 4

Heat 7

Matt Hewitt (Mnt), 1, Blake Myers (Whmata), 2, Keone Campbell (Tara), 3, Mark Pathemore (Tara), 4

Heat 8

Dan Scott (Whmata), 1, Gauranga Ormond (Whmata), 2, Jarrod Hancox (Tara), 3, Simon Deken (Tara), 4

 

 

Under 16 Boys Round 1

Heat 1

Fraser Chatham, (Whmata), 1, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 2, Paul Moreiti (Mimiwhangata), 3, Jordy Cole (Auck), 4

Heat 2

Todd Doyle (Mnt), 1, Fintan Cram (Whmata), 2, Patxi Scott-Arietta (Sandy Bay), 3, Josh Kettle (Tara), 4

Heat 3

Peri Matenga (Mnt), 1, Sid West (GT Barrier), 2, Jules Craft (Gis), 3, Nat Hughes (Rag), 4

Heat 4

Ben Poulter (Rag), 1, Dylan Pigeon (Auck), 2, Mackenzie Christie (Tau), 3

Heat 5

Tane Wallis (Piha), 1, Subarn Linklater (Auck), 2, Tyler Barry (Rag), 3

Heat 6

Jacob Kohn (Gis), 1, Taylor Louie (Auck), 2, Waretini Wano (Piha), 3, James Tume (Wgtn), 4

Heat 7

Joe Moretti (Mimiwhangata), 1, Ethan Burge (Wgtn), 2, Stefan Gross, 3, Toby Watt (Opunake), 4

Heat 8

Damo Norman (NSW), 1, Elliot Paerata – Reid (Piha), 2, Adam Grimson (Gis), 3, Kahu Craig-Ranga (Waihi Bch), 4

 

Under 16 Boys Quarterfinals

Heat 1

Todd Doyle (Mnt), 1, Sid West (GT Barrier), 2, Dylan Pigeon (Auck), 3, Fraser Chatham, (Whmata), 4

Heat 2

Ben Poulter (Rag), 1, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 2, Peri Matenga (Mnt), 3, Fintan Cram (Whmata), 4

Heat 3

Tane Wallis (Piha), 1, Elliot Paerata-Reid, Jacob Kohn (Gis), 3, Ethan Burge (Wgtn), 4

Heat 4

Damo Norman (NSW), 1, Joe Moretti (Mimiwhangata), 2, Taylor Louie (Auck), 3, Subarn Linklater (Auck), 4

 

Under 16 Boys Semifinals (Yet to be surfed)

Heat 1

Todd Doyle (Mnt), Sid West (GT Barrier), Ben Poulter (Rag), Dune Kennings (Whmata)

Heat 2

Tane Wallis (Piha), Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), Damo Norman (NSW), Joe Moretti (Mimiwhangata)

 

 

Under 18 Boys Round 1

Heat 1

Subarn Linklater (Auck), 1, Dahnu Graham (Auck), 2, Rick Williamson (Ohope), 3

Heat 2

Elliot Paerata-Reid (Piha), 1, James Tume (Wgtn), 2

Heat 3

Ethan Burge (Wgtn), 1, Dylan Pidgeon (Auck), 2, Lee Armitstead (Auck), 3

Heat 4

Braedon Williams (Whmata), 1, Patxi Scott-Arrieta (Sandy Bay), 2, Damo Norman (NSW), 3

 

Under 18 Boys Round 2 (Yet to be surfed)

Heat 1

Adam Cranston (Gis), Jacob Kohn (Gis), Reno Marriott (Gis), Subarn Linklater (Auck)

Heat 2

Matt Hewitt (Mnt), Fraser Chatham (Whmata), Mark Pathemore (Tara), Dahnu Graham (Auck)

Heat 3

Zen Wallis (Piha), Ben Poulter (Rag), Brooke Moses (Tara), Elliot Paerata-Reid (Piha)

Heat 4

Alex Dive (Mnt), Tyler Anderson (Tara), Charlie Deniston (Masterton), James Tume (Wgtn)

Heat 5

Johnny Hicks (Gis), Tim Thompson (Auck), Joe Moretti (Mimiwhangata), Ethan Burge (Wgtn)

Heat 6

Blake Myers (Whmata), Ryan Heath (Whmata), Christo Gilbert (HBay), Dylan Pidgeon (Auck)

Heat 7

Buck Woods (Gis), Michael Mallalieu (Tara), Ryan Hawker (Piha), Braedon Williams (Whmata)

Heat 8

Tane Wallis (Piha), Jay Paddock (Gis), Todd Doyle (Mnt), Patxi Scott-Arrieta (Sandy Bay)

 

A massive 23 national titles will go up for grabs at the event with in excess of 300 entries into the Hyundai National Championships presented by Quiksilver. As well as the premier Open Men’s, Open Women’s and Longboarding Divisions, there is a further 20 divisions comprising of age groups from Under 14 through to Over 55s and also Kneeboard and Bodyboard disciplines.

It is 35 years since the event was first staged at Piha in 1974. The Hyundai National Championships presented by Quiksilver is widely regarded as the most prestigious event in New Zealand with a proud 46 year history.

Complete lists of all National Champions are located on the Surfing New Zealand website under History – www.surfingnz.co.nz. File images to accompany this media release are available from Surfing New Zealand upon request and are supplied by New Zealand Surfing Magazine. The event will be run in association with Lion Rock Boardriders Club.