Surfing: Piha awaiting NZ's best

New Zealand's top male surfer Jay Quinn had a boost in his bid to defend his national open title when his older brother Maz withdrew from the country's showcase competition.

Quinn will be hoping to showcase the form that has seen him rise to 41st in the world rankings in the week-long national championships that begin at Piha on Auckland's wild west coast on Sunday.

Maz Quinn, who has won four titles and had been on a six-year quest for a fifth to equal the feats of Wayne Parkes and Iain Buchanan, failed to recover from a back injury sustained only days into the new year.

Quinn won his second national title at Dunedin last year, three years after taking his first at his home beach in Gisborne.

"When you have a couple of titles you start to dream about having more,'' said Quinn. "I feel like I've got a few more in me still.''

Quinn will still have a host of top surfers to compete against, including his international travelling companions Richard Christie (Mahia) and Billy Stairmand (Raglan), who each hold a single title.

He will also have to fend off Bobby Hansen (Gisborne) who is making a comeback after shoulder reconstruction left him landlocked for the best part of 2011.

The absence of defending champion Airini Mason, her sister Sarah and Taranaki's Paige Hareb means Raglan's Jessica Santorik is the only former ex-champion in the women's draw.

Santorik last won at Opunake in 2005 but has come close on several other occasions.

She will head a young-looking draw with the likes of Gisborne 17-year-olds Ella Williams and Jayda Martin-Fitzharris front-runners to progress to the final and challenge.

The championships mark the 50th anniversary of Surfing New Zealand.

Day 1 (Sunday, January 15) - All longboard, SUP surf and SUP race, U14 boys, U16 boys

Day 2 (Monday, January 16) - All longboard, SUP Surf, U14 boys, U16 boys

Day 3 (Tuesday, January 17) - Open men, under 18, 16, 14 boys, all longboard, SUP surf

Day 4 (Wednesday, January 18) - Open men, under 18, 16, 14 boys, all longboard, SUP surf, all women's, all seniors

Day 5 (Thursday, January 19) - Open men, under 18, 16, 14 boys, all longboard, SUP surf, all women's, all seniors, kneeboard

Day 6 (Friday, January 20) - Open men, under 18, 16, 14 boys, all longboard, SUP surf, all women's, all seniors, finals (possible)

Day 7 (Saturday, January 21) - Finals, all bodyboard