Scene from SEWN; Director Nicolas Brikke surfs at Dee Dees, Palisser Bay - Image supplied

SEWN  Raglan Old School Arts Centre, Stewart St, Raglan

Feb 15th 8.30m, 16th 5.30pm

Adults $11, Children $6

Reservations phone 825 0023 or email info@raglanartscentre.co.nz

A just released NZ made longboard doco will screen at the Raglan Old School Arts Centre in February.   The movie SEWN takes you within the longboarding experience, bringing you up close and personal to the surfing action via Nicolas Brikke’s outstanding camera work.

On each coast, you meet up with a surfer from an older generation who came through the shortboarding revolution, yet remained true to the longboard. You’ll also meet a surfer from a younger generation who lives and surfs with a similar spirit and passion. SEWN explores why these people chose longboarding, and how it is an important part of their lives. SEWN shows that to be a surfer in New Zealand is to have an intrinsic connection to the land, sea and surf.

SEWN (which is an acronym for south east west north), is the title of the first New Zealand-made longboarding film in over a decade. The film’s internet promotional campaign in three languages – English, French and Spanish – has got worldwide audiences excited.

Longboarding is a surfing discipline using boards longer than 2.8m (9 feet). Longboarders are entrancing to watch as they literally seem to be walking on water.

Directed and produced by award-winning French filmmaker and longboarder Nicolas Brikke, who has been based in New Zealand for more than five years, SEWN takes us south, east, west and north around the four stunning coasts of the North Island of New Zealand.

The doco’s production team includes Will Moore, a director and editor who has worked with company Fish n Clips productions and on the music videos of some of New Zealand’s best-known artists, including Brooke Fraser, Scribe and the Mint Chicks.

It also includes Paul Wedel, a Canadian director, editor and producer who has had films screened in New Zealand film festivals; and Kirsten Berrett, a graduate from the New Zealand Film and Television School, who has worked as an actress, and in production for several films.

Billy Stairmand at the finals- Image PhotoCPL

A near flawless performance saw Raglan’s Billy Stairmand storm in to win the final of the Open Men’s Division at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha Beach, Auckland on Saturday 21st January. This win was Billy’s second national title.

Stairmand surfed to a 17.10 point heat total using his impeccable backhand surfing on the lefthanders of Piha Bar.

The young 22 year old surfer is ranked 79th in the world and New Zealand’s third highest ranked surfer internationally. He is one of but a few in the world that managed to claim a victory over 11 times world champion Kelly Slater in 2011.

Today Stairmand notched up several excellent scores in quick succession in the final, his two highest, 8.90 and 8.20 point rides.

He won his first national title in 2010 at Gisborne in a similar fashion after getting a massive lead on his opponents and never relenting.

“It is good to start the year winning a national title, I am going overseas soon so it is good for my confidence and everything like that but yeah, at the moment, a national title, I can’t believe it at the moment” said Stairmand.

Despite the ease of the win, Stairmand remained focussed on what he was doing and keeping to a game plan. “Every heat is hard, I just wanted to catch the best waves out there, I saw some on the bar and wanted to get them and it paid off.”

It was a big decision for Stairmand to surf up the beach. He and fellow finalist Chris Malone (Gis) were the first surfers of the day to do so. However, with the outgoing tide and building swell, the strategy paid off handsomely.

“I had seen people getting one or two turns down the beach but I knew if I could get a runner on the bar it would be better than that. I started with a six and then it went from there. I was going wave for wave with Chris and I knew Timmy was down the beach but I was feeling confident after the first wave and yeah it all just happened.”

35 year old Chris Malone (Gis) finished runner up in the final scoring 9.5 out of 20 points requiring a combination of waves to challenge Stairmand for the win.

Despite the distance between himself and Stairmand he was still stoked to make the final. “It shows me that I have still got it and still can do it” said a more than happy Malone.

“There was no way I was going down the end in those closeouts, I headed for the bar, looked around and Billy was following me. I suppose it was a good decision as the waves were peeling but Billy is world class and those waves were perfect for him” finished Malone.

Mount Maunganui surfer Tim O’Connor placed third in the final. He surfed the whole 25 minutes on his own at the north end of the beach where every other surfer had competed during the day but the waves simply did not cooperate.

“Yeah that is the risk you take, you always hear stories of guys going down the beach and winning and it could have paid off, I saw waves before the final but that is the way it panned out unfortunately.”

O’Connor considered joining the other two surfers at the south end of the beach but opted to stay put.

“It was small where they were and big where I was, if I got two turns on one wave it would have been an eight or more. I mean I have even seen waves since I came in but I just didn’t get them in the final.”

O’Connor was one of the standouts of the event and was confident in his surfing despite scoring only 9.0 points in the final. “I am definitely stoked with the result, I am bummed a bit at the moment but overall it is a good result. I have been surfing well for the last two months and I think it showed at this event, not in the final but that’s how it goes.”

Matt Hewitt (Mnt) was supposed to be the fourth surfer in the final but had to travel to Australia to compete in the final World Pro Junior event today. In a twist of fate his heat in Australia was contested at the exact same time as the final here and he won his heat against surfers from Brazil and Australia.

Geoff Hutchison (Rag) took another title back to Raglan after winning the Over 45 Men’s Division. Gaining his second title, Hutchison defeated David Mann (Auck) by only 0.24 points with Phil Wallis (Piha) in third and Kelvin Louie (Piha) in fourth.

Thandi Durham – Tipene (Taranaki) claimed her first Open Women’s Division title in style today posting a 5.40 on her last wave to jump from third to first in the dying seconds of the final.

“This is one of my biggest goals that I have ever achieved” said Durham – Tipene.

“I have been living at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast and seeing the likes of Mick Fanning, Tyler Wright, all the best surfers, surfing everyday, it is pretty hard not to improve over there” she said obviously happy to get her last wave and show how much she has improved.

Durham – Tipene’s husband Bachelor won the Peter Byers award for the most outstanding performance at the event. He was awarded the prize for exceptional surfing throughout the whole week. “I am stoked for Bach my husband as well. Winning the Peter Byers ‘Most Outstanding Performance’ award is pretty special. He was bummed he didn’t pick up a title but I know he will be gunning for it next year.” she added.

Placing second in the final was Mischa Davis (Piha) who led for over 20 minutes but came up short on the final hooter. Davis scored 8.60 to Durham – Tipene’s 9.43. The two oldest of the finalists fended off the challenge of the younger girls with Ella Williams (WGM) finishing in third and Jayda Martin – Fitzharris (Gis) finishing fourth.

Tane Wallis won the Under 18 Boys Division in the challenging low tide conditions. After Elliot Paerata – Reid (Piha) opened the final with a 7.0 point ride, Wallis came back into contention with rides of 7.83 and 6.03 to control the final. Wallis then went to work protecting his lead first watching over Paerata – Reid then Ben Poulter (Rag) after he came back in to contention late in the final. Paerata – Reid eventually finished the final in second place ahead of Dune Kennings (WGM) in third and Ben Poulter (Rag) in fourth.

Ella Williams (WGM) claimed the Under 18 Girls Division over long time rival Jayda Martin – Fitzharris (Gis). Williams posted a 9.83 point heat total bettering that of Martin – Fitzharris on 8.57. Bianca Sansom (Albany) placed third in the final ahead of her sister Gabriela Sansom.

It was Gabriela Sansom (Albany) that sealed the Under 16 Girls Division win early on in the final after one scoring ride of 8.0 points. Despite only getting a back up wave of 1.70 points, her 9.70 point heat total was enough to claim the victory over Jasmine Smith (Gis) who ended the final with a 9.20 point heat total. Claudia Fraser (Piha) finished in third place ahead of Dayna Story (Gis) in fourth.

Dune Kennings (WGM) defended his Under 16 Boys title surfing to a big 16.33 point heat total. It was a long running right hander that Kennings capitalised on scoring an 8.83 point ride with a series of turns and an air reverse to finish. Elliot Paerata – Reid (Piha) fought back with a strong 7.67 point ride to bridge the gap but the lead was simply too big for the fickle conditions. Australian based Korbin Hutchings, formerly of Gisborne, pushed his way into third place thanks to his last 6.10 point ride with McKenzie Bowden (WGM) in fourth.

Northland surfer Manu Scott – Arrieta (Sandy Bay) defended his Under 14 Boys title by the closest margin of the day – 0.03 points after a mammoth tussle with Kehu Butler (Mnt). Scott – Arrieta held the lead for much of the final but it was a late 6.60 point ride that pushed him ahead of Butler who finished in second place scoring. Isaac Kettle (Tara) was also in the hunt for the title after scoring a 6.23 point ride but never found a good second ride. Waihi Beach surfer Taine Craig – Ranga placed fourth in the final.

Thomas Kibblewhite (Rodney) was one of four surfers to defend their title at the event, Kibblewhite taking back-to-back wins in the Men’s Longboard Division. Kibblewhite outclassed his opponents with the third highest heat score of the entire day – 16.73 points out of 20. A near perfect 9.07 point ride after he already held a strong lead, put the result beyond doubt and left all his competitions requiring a combination of waves to catch up. It was the veteran Michael Fitzharris (Gis) who feared the best to place second in a division he has previously won six times. 2009 champion Daniel Procter (Gis) placed third in the final with Ben Poulter in fourth.

Anna Jolly (Piha) secured one of four titles for the local Piha surfers in the Women’s Longboard Division scoring 12.17 points. Alexis Poulter (Rag) fought hard to catch up but finished in second place ahead of Mischa Davis (Piha) in third and Belinda Goodwin (Rag) in fourth.

Shayne Baxter (Chch) took the sole South Island title holding off Daniel Kereopa (Rag) to win the Stand Up Paddleboard Division. Baxter won the first ever national title in the division when it was contested at Piha in 2009. Kereopa was the defending champion. Kereopa had a final dig at the title today but needing a 6.88 point ride on his last wave, came to the shore to the sound of a 6.50 point ride being called out and finishing in second place. Whangamata surfers Lynden Kennings and Karl Aarsen rounded out the final in third and fourth place respectively.

Jay Quinn (Gis) managed to secure a title at the event despite it not being in the Open Men’s Division as he would have preferred. Quinn easily put claim to the Over 28 Men’s Division scoring 17.43 in the final thanks to a 9.43 point ride for the cleanest air reverse of the event. Winner of the Peter Byers Most Outstanding Performance Award, Bachelor Tipene (Tara) placed second in the final ahead of AJ Matthews (Auck) in third and Josh Thickpenny (Dun) in fourth.

Ben Kennings defended his title in the Over 35 Men’s Division after riding just the two waves in his heat to score 15.10 points. Cale Tolley (Mnt) held the lead for much of the final after posting a 7.83 point ride on his first ride but Kennings fought back with an 8.60 on his second scoring ride to jump into the lead. Tolley ended the final in second place ahead of double finalist Rick Lasch (Piha) in third and Scott Casey (Auck) in fourth.

Double finalist Michael Fitzharris (Gis) went one better than his runner up placing in the Longboard Division by winning the Over 40 Men’s Division. Like many of the senior men’s divisions, the hunt for the title was a low scoring affair and Fitzharris managed to edge past event stand out Rick Lasch (Piha) by 0.63 points, Lasch finishing in second place ahead of Deane Hishon (Rag) in third and Mike Mulcahy (Piha) in fourth.

Local Piha surfer Garry Pike claimed his first ever national title in the Over 50 Men’s Division to the cheers of his staunch support crew. It was a tight low scoring battle but Pike posted 9.60 to win the final over Jeremy Hughes (Rag) in second place, Phillip Griffin (Mnt) in third and Mike Sansom (Albany) in fourth.

New Zealand’s most successful surfer at this event, Gisborne’s John Gisby notched up yet another title in the Over 55 Men’s Division. After being a late entry in the event, Gisby went about his work winning heats and in the final he easily outpointed his opponents scoring 13.43 for the win. Gisby now has 32 titles to his name stretching as far back as 1984 in the Over 30 Men’s Division. Placing second today was Tairua surfer Barry McCulloch scoring 9.53 who edged out Mike Trainer (Auck) in third with David Storck (Auck) in fourth.

The oldest surfers in the event got their final completed early in the morning with 1975 Open Men’s National Champion Benny Hutchings (Aus/Gis) making a successful return to competition winning the Over 60 Men’s Division. Hutchings who makes up one of several family combinations competing at the event scored 9.0 points to win the final over Hamish Divett (Auck) who snuck passed Ken Nicholson (Auck) on a countback, Nicholson placing third ahead of Clive Barron (Piha) in fourth.

The sole bodyboard division contested was for the women with young local Maiya Thompson winning the final scoring 7.97 points to beat Marguerite Vujich (Nap) in second, Chelsea Pike (Piha) in third and Seagh Keisenberg (Piha) in fourth.

Please see below for final results from the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships completed at Piha Beach, Auckland today (Saturday 21st January).

Open Men’s Division
Billy Stairmand (Rag), 17.1, 1, Chris Malone (Gis), 9.5, 2, Tim O’Connor (Mnt), 9, 3, Matt Hewitt (Mnt), NS, 4

Open Women’s
Thandi Durham – Tipene (Tara), 9.43, 1, Mischa Davis (Auck), 8.6, 2, Ella Williams (Whmata), 8.37, 3, Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis), 5.73, 4

Under 18 Men’s Division
Tane Wallis (Piha), 13.87, 1, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 12.07, 2, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 11.13, 3, Ben Poulter (Rag), 10.8, 4

Under 16 Boys Division
Dune Kennings (Whmata), 16.33, 1, Elliot Paerata – Reid (Piha), 13.6, 2, Korbin Hutchings (Gis), 12.53, 3, McKenzie Bowden (Whmata), 11.33, 4

Under 14 Boys Division
Manu Scott-Arrieta (Sandy Bay), 11.97, 1, Kehu Butler (Arataki), 11.93, 2, Isaac Kettle (Tara), 9.8, 3, Taine Craig Ranga (Waihi Bch), 6.23, 4

Under 18 Girls Division
Ella Williams (Whmata), 9.83, 1, Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis), 8.57, 2, Bianca Sansom (Auck), 6.47, 3, Gabriella Sansom (Auck), 3.8, 4

Under 16 Girls Division
Gabriella Sansom (Auck), 9.7, 1, Jasmine Smith (Gis), 9.2, 2, Claudia Fraser (Auck), 5.33, 3, Dayna Story (Gis), 4.7, 4

Men’s Longboard
Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck), 16.73, 1, Michael Fitzharris (Gis), 12.57, 2, Daniel Proctor (Gis), 10.3, 3, Ben Poulter, 10.27, 4

Longboard Women’s
Anna Jolly (Piha), 12.17, 1, Alexis Poulter (Rag), 10.47, 2, Mischa Davis (Oratia), 10.4, 3, Belinda Goodwin (Mnt), 3.63, 4

Stand Up Paddleboards
Shayne Baxter (ChCh), 14, 1, Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 13.63, 2, Lynden Kennings (Whgmata), 9.1, 3, Karlos Aarsen (Whmata), 7.6, 4

Seniors Over 28′s
Jay Quinn (Gis), 17.43, 1, Bachelor Tipene (Tara), 12.27, 2, AJ Matthews (Whmata), 7.6, 3, Josh Thickpenny (Dun), 5.47, 4

Masters Over 35′s
Ben Kennings (Wmata), 15.1, 1, Cale Tolley (Mnt), 11.23, 2, Rick Lasch (Auck), 10, 3, Scott Casey (Auck), 5.5, 4

Veterans Over 40′s
Michael Fitzharris (Gis), 8.7, 1, Rick Lasch (Auck), 8.03, 2, Deane Hishon (Rag), 5.87, 3, Mike Mulcahy (Auck), 3.45, 4

Grand Masters Over 45′s
Geoff Hutchison (Rag), 9.57, 1, David Mann (Auck), 9.33, 2, Phil Wallis (Piha), 6.83, 3, Kelvin Louie (Piha), 4.93, 4

Legends Over 50′s
Garry Pike (Piha), 9.6, 1, Jeremy Hughes (Rag), 8.17, 2, Phillip Griffin (Mnt), 8, 3, Mike Sansom (Auck), 5.83, 4

Fossils Over 55′s
John Gisby (Gis), 13.43, 1, Barry McCulloch (Tau), 9.53, 2, Mike Trainer (Auck), 9.03, 3, David Storck (Auck), 7.07, 4

Kahunas Over 60′s
Ben Hutchings (Gis), 9, 1, Hamish Divett (Auck), 7.23, 2, Ken Nicolson (Auck), 7.23, 3, Clive Barron (Piha), 2.6, 4

Women’s Bodyboards
Maiya Thompson (Piha), 7.97, 1, Marguerite Vujich (Napier), 7.67, 2, Chelsea Pike (Piha), 3.1, 3, Seagh Keisenberg (Piha), 1.63, 4

The Hyundai National Championships were first held in 1963 when they took place at Mount Maunganui. In its infancy, the event comprised Open Men’s and Women’s as well as Under 18 Men’s divisions only. Since then it has grown to comprise a colossal 25 divisions across all disciplines and the 2012 edition will crown New Zealand’s 500th national champion.

Twenty five national titles went up for grabs at the Hyundai National Championships this week. As well as the premier Open Men’s and Open Women’s Divisions, there was a further 23 divisions comprising of age groups from Under 14 through to Over 60s and also longboard, Stand Up Paddleboard, Bodyboard and Kneeboard disciplines.

Based on Surfing NZ Media Release written by Ben Kennings Saturday, 21 January 2012

Ben Poulter

It was a short day of surfing at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships today (Friday 20th January) as New Zealand’s bestsurfers prepare for the final day of competition on Saturday.
With the waves dropping to the smallest they have been over the seven-day event at less than 1.0m and onshore westerly winds, only the essential divisions were contested in order for the event to be completed in a timely manner on Saturday.

In the Under 18 Longboard it was the older of the Poulter brothers, Ben, who claimed the title over his younger brother Sam in second place. The two brothers defeated local Piha surfers Tane Wallis and Tunui Wano. Ben Poulter takes the lead on the Hyundai Tour after two of five events but tomorrow he will switch his attention to his preferred shortboard division when he attempts to defend his Under 18 Boys Division title.

The young grommets in the Under 16 and Under 14 Boys Divisions suited the conditions the most as they flew across the barely surfable waves.

Dune Kennings (WGM) and Korbin Hutchings (Gis/Australia) had the biggest tussle of the day with the lead in their semifinal swinging several times. Kennings got off to an early start before Hutchings came back with a 6.60 and 5.97 to jump into the lead. However it was Kennings that finished with a 7.73 point ride late in the semifinal that sealed the win, both surfers moving through to the finals after eliminating Harrison Whiteside (Chch) and Isaac Kettle (Tara).

The two surfers both have granddads that have won national titles and are part of a small group of third generation surfers in New Zealand. They will want to follow in the footsteps of their families and secure more titles on Saturday.

Standing in the way of Kennings and Hutchings are two surfers just as eager to write their own history. Elliot Paerata – Reid (Piha) and McKenzie Bowden (WGM) progressed through the second semifinal, Paerata – Reid running away with the heat scoring 13.07 and Bowden getting a buzzer-beating 7.37 point ride to jump from third to second and advance over Mahorahora McLeod (Tara) and Matt McGreggor (Whangarei).

The youngest surfers of the event, the Under 14 Boys also contested their semifinals. It was once again the precision of Kehu Butler (Mount) that shone over his opponents winning his heat despite incurring an ‘interference’ after interfering with one of his opponents waves. Butler will meet Isaac Kettle (Tara), Taine Craig – Ranga (Waihi Beach) and Manu Scott – Arrieta (Sandy Bay) in the final. Scott Arrieta is the defending champion of the division and a win tomorrow would equal six other surfers feats, all of whom have won double titles in the division.

The Under 18 Girls semifinals saw twin sisters Gabriela and Bianca Sansom (Albany) progress through to the finals as the more fancied Ella Williams (WGM) and Jayda Martin – Fitzharris (Gis). Martin – Fitzharris is the only finalist to have won the division (2010).

The senior divisions were also contested as the tide continued to drop. Jay Quinn (Gis) who yesterday lost his semifinal match up in the Open Men’s Division, progressed through to the final of the Over 28 Men’s Division in second place behind AJ Matthews (Auck). Bachelor Tipene (Tara) eliminated two time defending champion Jarred Hancox (Tara). Tipene advanced alongside Joshua Thickpenny (Dun), the South Island’s sole finalist at the event.

Two finals were contested in the afternoon being the Over 30 Women’s and the Under 18 Longboard. Local surfer Anna Jolly walked away with the Over 30 Women’s Division ahead of Belinda Goodwin (Rag), Shelley Jones (Auck) and Janine Spiers (WGM).

Conditions for day seven (Saturday 21st January) are expected to improve with an increase in swell and more favourable southwest winds.

Please see below for results from Day six of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha Beach, Auckland today (Friday 20th January).

Under 18 Girls Semifinals
Heat 1
Ella Williams (Whmata), 8.83, 1, Bianca Sansom (Auck), 7.73, 2, Jasmine Smith (Gis), 3.63, 3
Heat 2
Gabriella Sansom (Auck), 8.33, 1, Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis), 7.07, 2, Claudia Fraser (Piha), 3.63, 3

Under 16 Boys Semifinals
Heat 1
Dune Kennings (Whmata), 14.23, 1, Korbin Hutchings (Gis), 12.57, 2, Harrison Whiteside (ChCh), 10.85, 3, Isaac Kettle (Tara), 5.7, 4
Heat 2

Elliot Paerata – Reid (Piha), 13.07, 1, McKenzie Bowden (Whmata), 11.8, 2

Mahorahora McLeod (Waitara), 11.33, 3, Matt McGreggor (Whngrei), 5.7, 4

Under 14 Boys Finals
Heat 1
Isaac Kettle (Tara), 10, 1, Manu Scott-Arrieta (Sandy Bay), 9.5, 2, Tane Bowden (Whmata), 6.6, 3
Heat 2
Kehu Butler (Arataki), 12.5, 1, Taine Craig Ranga (Waihi Bch), 8.27, 2, Xavier Campbell (Dun), 5.5, 3

Over 28 Men’s Semifinals
Heat 1
Bachelor Tipene (Tara), 12.13, 1, Josh Thickpenny (Dun), 11.77, 2, Jarred Hancox (Tara), 8.97, 3, Liam Joyce (Phia), 4.93, 4
Heat 2
AJ Matthews (Whmata), 14.5, 1, Jay Quinn (Gis), 13.33, 2, Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck), 7.13, 3, Larry Fisher (Rag), 5.7, 4

Over 35 Men’s Semifinals
Heat 1
Ben Kennings (Wmata), 10.83, 1, Cale Tolley (Mnt), 10.63, 2, Nat Barron (Piha), 10, 3
Heat 2
Rick Lasch (Auck), 11.17, 1, Scott Casey (Auck), 7.87, 2, Larry Fisher (Rag), 6.1, 3

Over 55 Men’s Finals
Heat 1
Mike Trainer (H-Bay), 9.5, 1, David Storck (Auck), 6.4, 2, Ken Nicolson (Auck), 4.82, 3
Heat 2
John Gisby (Gis), 7.17, 1, Barry McCulloch (Tau), 6.4, 2, Gary Quinn (Gis), 3.8, 3

Over 30 Women’s Final
Anna Jolly (Piha), 9.6, 1, Belinda Goodwin (Mnt), 5.9, 2, Shelley Jones (Auck), 4.8, 3, Jenine Williams (Whmata), 4.47, 4

Under 18 Longboard Final
Ben Poulter (Rag), 9.63, 1, Sam Poulter (Rag), 8.93, 2, Tane Wallis (Piha), 8.6, 3, Tunui Wano (Piha), 3.53, 4

Based on Surfing NZ Media Release Written by Ben Kennings Friday, 20 January 2012

Billy Stairmand - Image CPL

Raglan surfer Billy Stairmand has progressed through to the final of the Open Men’s Division in search of his second national title.

Stairmand, ranked 79th in the world, was the smallest of the eight semifinalists and made easy work of the conditions posting a 16.84 point total heat score. His flare on both his forehand and backhand showed international quality with an edge that few New Zealand surfers have and he now goes into the final as the favourite.  One by one the top ranked surfers in New Zealand exited the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships while Billy moved onto the finals.

“I don’t see myself as the favourite” Stairmand was quick to retort when asked about the tag. “I will go in to the final confident for sure, but I don’t see myself as favourite” he added.

“My boards are good at the moment and I will focus on not trying to be nervous but I know when Saturday comes, the nerves will start to kick in.”

Stairmand will have a day off on Friday (20th January) where he hopes to “sleep in a bit” before maybe heading over the hill to Auckland to catch a movie and then perhaps a late surf in the afternoon.

Day five of the seven-day event was contested in the smallest conditions to date this week with at best a 1.0m swell and light onshore winds.

The Open Men’s Division was contested early in the morning to capitalise on the full tide and light offshore land breeze.

Stairmand progressed alongside Matt Hewitt (Mount) who posted the highest single wave score of the day – 8.93 out of 10 for a long lefthander that he punctuated with a tail high backhand air reverse. The wave catapulted him from third into second place ahead of Bobby Hansen (Gis).

Unfortunately for Hewitt, he had to fly out to Australia this afternoon to prepare to compete at the World Pro Junior Champs which start on Saturday and he will miss the final.

“I had a decision to make and unfortunately I will miss the final of the nationals here. I got the invite to the World Pro Junior confirmed yesterday and I cannot pass up that opportunity. It is tough” said Hewitt who was happy to get some heats under his belt here before competing in Australia against an international field.”

It was Tim O’Connor that kept alive the hopes of Bay of Plenty when he won the second semifinal and in doing so eliminated defending champion Jay Quinn. O’Connor has looked sharp all week and today was no different in the small waves, similar to what he is used to at home.

“Yeah it is my first national final, stoked man, can’t believe it” O’Connor said. “I heard Matt has to bail, so it is good that at least one Mounty got through.”

“I have dreamed of a national title since I was a kid competing seeing Maz Quinn and those guys all win titles, it is something (the trophy) that I really want to grab the handles of and tick it off the list.”

O’Connor progressed through to the final alongside Chris Malone who scored a 6.0 point ride on his last wave to pass Quinn and make yet another national final. Malone, 35, is an ex-national champion having won the Open Men’s Division 14 years ago in 1998.

For Quinn, it will be a case of having to wait for at least another year to pick up his third title. Quinn was philosophical about the loss this morning.

“The ocean just disappeared on us” said a dejected Quinn. A bit of consistency from the ocean would have been nice.”

Now out of the event, Quinn pointed toward Stairmand and O’Connor looking good to take out the title.

The Open Women’s Division final takes on an old versus new look with local surfer Mischa Davis (Piha) and Thandi Durham (Tara) taking on 16 year olds Ella Williams (WGM) and Jayda Martin – Fitzharris (Gis). Davis, 23 and Durham, also 23 surfed well in the semifinals to eliminate Grace Spiers (WGM), Davis scoring an 8.17 on one right-hander where she belted out four backhand turns in succession. Durham held on to her second placing despite a late charge from Spiers.

Williams and Martin – Fitzharris eliminated Jessica Santorik in their semifinal with Williams again the stand out surfing with speed and flow in the tricky conditions.

Williams was runner up in 2011 when the event was held in Dunedin and a win on Saturday will see her become one of the youngest winners in the 50 year history of the event.

First thing in the morning the Under 18 Boys Division was also whittled down to the final four surfers. Local knowledge played a big part in advancing with Tane Wallis and Elliot Paerata – Reid, both Piha locals, moving through their semifinal match up. Wallis top scored with 14.37 to win his semi while it was Ben Poulter (Rag) who got the best waves in the first semifinal scoring 13.33 to advance alongside Dune Kennings (WGM).

Conditions for day six are expected to be average with a further decrease in swell and north west winds predicted. Despite the average forecast, a near full day of surfing is required before the final day of the event on Saturday.

Please see below for results from Day five of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha Beach, Auckland on Thursday 19th January.

Open Men’s Division Semifinals
Heat 1
Billy Stairmand (Rag), 16.83, 1, Matt Hewitt (Mnt), 16.77, 2, Bobby Hansen (Gis), 13.77, 3, Alex Dive (Mnt), 11.9, 4
Heat 2
Tim O’Connor (Mnt), 12.93, 1, Chris Malone (Gis), 10.7, 2, Jay Quinn (Gis), 10.1, 3, Zen Wallis (Piha), 5.8, 4

Under 18 Men’s Division Semifinals
Heat 1
Ben Poulter (Rag), 13.33, 1, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 12.4, 2, Waretini Wano (Piha), 9.4, 3, Adam Grimson (Gis), 7.3, 4
Heat 2
Tane Wallis (Piha), 14.37, 1, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 10.3, 2, Mckenzie Bowden (Whmata), 9.03, 3, Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata), 7.8, 4

Under 14 Boys Quarterfinals
Heat 1
Taine Craig Ranga (Waihi Bch), 10.83, 1, Isaac Kettle (Tara), 9.17, 2, Daniel Farr (Tara), 7.28, 3, Joshua Farr (Tara), 5.83, 4
Heat 2
Tane Bowden (Whmata), 11.73, 1, Manu Scott-Arrieta (Sandy Bay), 10.27, 2, Jack Wilson (ChCh), 5.3, 3, Sam Copley 9Auck), 2.1, 4
Heat 3

Kehu Butler (Arataki), 12.93, 1, Xavier Campbell (Dun), 5.63, 2, Samuel Sands (Chch), 3.23, 3, Henry Copley (Auck), 1.53, 4

Open Women’s Semifinals
Heat 1
Mischa Davis (Auck), 13.5, 1, Thandi Durham – Tipene (Tara), 8.1, 2, Grace Spiers (Whmata), 7.5, 3
Heat 2
Ella Williams (Whmata), 11.4, 1, Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis), 8.07, 2, Jessica Santorik (Rag), 7.93, 3

Under 18 Girls Semifinals
Heat 1
Gabriella Sansom (Auck), 7.83, 1, Bianca Sansom (Auck), 7, 2, Nam Northcott (Tara), 3.07, 3
Heat 2
Ella Williams (Whmata), 8.67, 1, Jasmine Smith (Gis), 4.47, 2, Ella Spiers (Wmata), 2.63, 3
Heat 3
Jayda Martin-Fitzharris (Gis), 8.6, 1, Claudia Fraser (Piha), 5.37, 2, Dayna Story (Gis), 4.37, 3

Over 55 Men’s Quarterfinals
Heat 1

John Gisby (Gis), 10.33, 1, David Storck (Auck), 2.4, 2, Rob Bayes Orewa), NS, 3
Heat 2
Mike Trainer (H-Bay), 9.03, 1, Ken Nicolson (Auck), 3.63, 2, Michael Gray (Auck), 3.4, 3
Heat 3
Barry McCulloch (Tau), 8.8, 1, Gary Quinn (Gis), 4.83, 2, Alistair Goodwin (Piha), 3.3, 3

Kneeboard Semifinals
Heat 1
Phill Miller (Auck), 7.1, 1, Kamen Geiseler (Gis), 4.33, 2, Ian Walker, 4.1, 3, Murray Weir (Tara), 3.37, 4
Heat 2
Jamie Andrews (Tara), 10.33, 1, Phill Pickering (Auck), 7.17, 2, Craig Hooper (Mnt), 3.57, 3, Mike Anderson (Auck), 2.6, 4

Kneeboard Final
Jamie Andrews (Tara), 8.0, 1, Phill Pickering (Auck), 7.83, 2, Phill Miller (Auck), 6.4, 3, Kamen Geiseler (Gis), 6.07, 4

The all encompassing seven day event runs from the 15th – 21st of January. Please see below for a guide to when remaining divisions are expected to be contested.

Day 6 (Fri 20th Jan) – Open Men, Under 18, 16, 14 Boys, All longboard, SUP Surf, All Women’s, All Seniors, Potentially some finals
Day 7 (Sat 21st Jan) – Finals, All Bodyboard

Based on Surfing NZ Media Release Written by Ben Kennings Thursday, 19 January 2012