Defending champions showing they will be tough to beat

The defending champions have shown they will be tough to beat at St Clair Beach this week.

Aimee Brown and Billy Stairmand both shone on the second day of the national surfing championships yesterday.

They contended with strong onshore winds and a 1-1.5m swell to advance to the open women's semifinals and men's quarterfinals respectively.

Young spectators get sprayed by water as they watch at the national surfing championships at St Clair Beach yesterday. Photos: Peter McIntosh

In the women's category, Hayley Pascoe scored 9.7 to steal her heat from Raiha Ensor in the dying seconds, although both advanced.

Zhana Hutchieson, Ava Henderson and Natasha Gouldsbury will also contest the semifinals.

In the men's grade, Elliott Brown was the best of the Dunedin open contenders.

Whangerei’s Tom Robinson climbs down the rocks to get to the water for the under-18 heats

Taranaki’s Kava Matthews (16) in action during the under-18 heats.

He scored 10.73 to finish second in his second-round heat and progress to the quarterfinals.

Whakatane's Jack Lee, who is also a favourite in the under-18 category, finished ahead of him with an impressive 13.

However, seven-time champion Stairmand will be tough to beat once again.

He delivered a 12.83 point performance, although fellow Raglan surfer Caleb Cutmore had the highest score of the day with a 13.37.

In the under-18 category Gisbourne's Finn Vette, who is contesting three divisions, including the under-16 grade, top-scored with 13.3 points in his heat.

Raglan’s Jayden Willoughby (15) rides a wave during the under-18 heats

Dunedin surfers Ruben Peyroux and James Millar also advanced to the quarterfinals, while Taylor O'Leary, Tom Robinson, Navryn Malone and Jayden Willoughby will all be strong contenders as well.

Surfing continues today, although the waves are expected to drop as favourable early-morning winds turn northerly in the afternoon.