The penultimate day of the Health 2000 National Championships has set the stage for the first men’s and women’s champions of the decade to be crowned in Dunedin today.
Defending champion Billy Stairmand (Raglan) won his first title 10 years ago and has gone on to win seven over the past decade, the most of any surfer in the division.
Today he will start his charge for an eighth title when he contests the semifinals alongside seven opponents determined to halt his reign.
Conditions were shaping up nicely for early this morning at St Clair Beach but increasing winds throughout the day may impact conditions for finals.
A total of 13 titles were contested during the day, ranging from the longboard through to the stand-up paddleboard, kneeboard and bodyboard.
Christchurch surfer Ambrose McNeill claimed the longboard division with a convincing victory and 12.6-point heat total, surfing in the National Championships for the first time in several years.
McNeill defeated two-time champion Zen Wallis (Piha), who finished runner-up ahead of early standout Cameron Haylock (Christchurch) and Billy Whelan (Mangawhai).
In the women’s longboard division, Gabi Paul (Piha) defended her title with a 10.0-point heat total, with Jo Moore (Taranaki) finishing in second, Donna Henderson (Christchurch) in third and Tegen Bishop (Christchurch) in fourth.
Stand-up paddleboard titles went to Jamie Andrews (Taranaki), who defended his title, while 14-year-old Amelie Wink (Christchurch) claimed the women’s division.
Senior titles went to Taranaki’s Jarred Hancox (over 35s), Dunedin’s Simon Brennan (over 45s) and Raglan’s Geoff Hutchison (over 55s).
Women’s titles went to Dunedin’s Hayley Pascoe (over 30s), Dunedin’s Tash Civil (over 35s), Christchurch’s Donna Henderson (over 40s), Dunedin’s Ange Reardon (over 45s) and Hawke’s Bay’s Marguerite Vujcich (over 60s).
Today’s championship action will take place from 7am at St Clair Beach.
The event will be streamed live via the Sky Sport Next YouTube channel from 9am to 1.30pm.
