Kereopa Wins at Port Waikato Hyundai Tour Event

DK handling a mean as Port W shore break

The high-scoring Stand Up Paddleboard final had the only local representation with Damon Mark but it was Daniel Kereopa (Rag) that was simply too good for his opponents taking out the win and with that, the overall Hyundai Tour title. Despite being challenged by Mark and indeed trailing at the half way mark, Kereopa fought back with a 7.17 point ride to finish with a 14.17 point total. Ratings leader going into the event, Shayne Baxter (Chch) climbed his way to second courtesy of his last 6.23 point ride while local Mark Damon finished in third place (12.00) ahead of Daren Jones (Auck) in fourth.

Damon Mark using local knowledge to negotiate that shorey

The King of the Waves Stand Up Paddleboard Race came down to a battle of survival as the small field of paddlers confronted a huge shorebreak before an open ocean paddle around the 3.0km ‘M’ shaped course and a gauntlet run back through the line up. It was Sean Hovell (Gis) who took his maiden victory in the race after overtaking ratings leader Armie Armstrong (Rag) on the shore before the 100m run up the beach. Christchurch paddler Shayne Baxter exited the water in third place ahead of Daniel Kereopa (Rag) in fourth.

Please see below for full results from the final event of the 2012 Hyundai Tour completed at Port Waikato today 4^th March.

Stand Up Paddleboard Semifinals
Heat 1
Shayne Baxter (ChCh), 11.33, 1, Damon Mark (Port Wai), 8.9, 2, Armie Armstrong (Rag), 6.43, 3, Hamish Imrie (Port Wai), 3.8, 4
Heat 2
Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 13.83, 1, Daren Jones (Auck), 6.7, 2, Regan Fairlie (Gis), 6.67, 3, Karlos Aarsen (Whmata), 2.97, 4

DK, Darren Jones,Damon Mark, and Shayne Baxter

Stand Up Paddleboard Final
Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 14.17, 1, Shayne Baxter (ChCh), 12.07, 2, Damon Mark (Port Wai), 12.0, 3, Daren Jones (Auck), 3.40, 4

Stand Up Paddleboard Race
Sean Hovell (Gis), 1, Armie Armstrong (Rag), 2, Shayne Baxter (Chch), 3, Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 4

Please see below for the final 2012 Hyundai Tour rankings.
Stand Up Paddleboard Top 5
1, Daniel Kereopa (Rag)
2, Shayne Baxter (ChCh)
3, Armie Armstrong (Rag)
4, Karlos Aarsen (Whmata)
5, Sean Hovell (Gis)

Stand Up Paddlboard Race Top 5
1, Armie Armstrong (Rag)
2, Jeremy Stephenson (Auck)
3, Sean Hovell (Gis)
4, Shayne Baxter (ChCh)
5, Daniel Kereopa (Rag)

Massive Surf for last leg

Facing the biggest storm to hit New Zealand this year, the first day of the event got underway in 2.0m plus waves and onshore westerly winds, conditions that only the heartiest of contestants took on. However the conditions will not be a shine on what is to come in the next 24 hours.

The early rounds of the Stand Up Paddleboard Division got underway with a number of the competitors heading miles out to sea tackling the massive waves. Local surfer Damon Mark (Port Waikato) was one of the top scorers of the round scoring 9.23 points along with Regan Farlie (East Cape) who progressed with 9.93 points. First and second placed surfers in the first round progressed through to meet the top seeds in the quarterfinals which were to be held this afternoon.

Shayne baxter on a cleaner smaller one. pic CPL

The weather system approaching the North Island will be assessed further tonight be a decision will be made in regards to running through the event further on Saturday. The conditions are expected to be atrocious with gale force winds and massive seas. Event management are discussing the option of completing the event on Sunday should tomorrow’s conditions be too unsafe to surf.

Stand Up Paddleboard Round 1
Heat 1
Shane Murrell (Auck), 7.17, 1, Deon Boonzaier (Auck), 3.13, 2, Shaan Miller (Auck), 2.5, 3
Heat 2
Damon Mark (Port Wai), 9.23, 1, Hamish Imrie (Port Wai), 6.73, 2, Annabel Anderson (Auck), 2.73, 3, Charlie Crews (Ham), 1.43, 4
Heat 3
Regan Fairlie (Gis), 9.93, 1, Daren Jones (Auck), 7.83, 2, Robert Hawkins (Rag), 2.17, 3
Heat 4
Te Roha Fairlie (Tologa Bay), 6.77, 1, Te Peehi Fairlie (Tolaga Bay), 4.47, 2, Scott Eliott (Auck), 2.6, 3

Daniel Kereopa does it again

Who else but DK pic CPL

DK makes two out of three with a convincing win at Sandy Bay over the long weekend.  Below are a few pics from Sandy Bay. The surf was rubbish but the surfing was pure gold.

Jeremy Stephenson pic CPL

 Daniel Kereopa (Raglan) smashed his opponents out of the water to win his second event of the 2012 Hyundai Tour in the Stand Up Paddleboard Division. Current National Champion Shayne Baxter (Christchurch) had the initial lead with a couple of great scoring rides. But Kereopa stole the lead mid-way through the heat with a barnstorming 7.33 ride, following it up with a 7.73 to win the final.

Kereopa, who is a Hyundai Ambassador, showed the form that has seen him win multiple events since the SUP Division was introduced to the Tour.

Baxter was in catch-up mode for the remainder of the final, finishing out with an 11.36 combined heat score. Third place went to Armie Armstrong (Raglan) ahead of Karlos Aarsen (Whangamata).

Shayne Baxter pic CPL

World Champion Surfer Heading To New Zealand

Taylor Jensen

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen (USA) is heading to New Zealand to contest the Hyundai Tour this week, the event doubling as the first event of the Australasian ASP Longboard Qualifying Series.

The Hyundai Tour event is being held at Sandy Bay, Whangarei from Friday this week and will run through to Waitangi Day on Monday (3 – 6 February).

Jensen confirmed his entry late last week and will travel from California to contest the one-star rated event.

“I just love being in New Zealand and seeing all my friends down there and being able to compete in the tour here and there. Its one of the best run events in the world and it’s always a pleasure to head over for it” Jensen said in between packing for the long journey across the Pacific.

Jensen has the ASP Banquet to attend and receive his World Title trophy at the end of February so figured a detour through New Zealand would work well with his travel plans.

He will only be in the country for a five day whirl wind stop taking in the Sandy Bay event before travelling back to his second home of Australia where he has not been in the last three months.

Jensen claimed his world title in Italy during November after finishing runner up in the final event of the year. It is the first time the American surfer has held the title despite his amazing talent on the longboard.

“Not that much has changed really” said Jensen of the win. “I’m a lot busier now. I have a few more commitments than usual but other than that, things are still very much the same. I’ve managed to secure a few new sponsors so that’s been a huge bonus.”

Along with Jensen, the event has attracted a number of top longboard and stand up paddleboard surfers including world number 14 ranked Jared Neal (AUS) and number 21 ranked Mitch Surman (AUS). Surman placed runner up at the Sandy Bay event in 2011.

The Sandy Bay event is the first of three on the ASP Australasian LQS with two events remaining at Kingscliff, New South Wales and Perth, Western Australia. The top two surfers on the ASP Australasian LQS gain automatic qualification to compete on the ASP World Longboard Tour.

DK at Manu Bay

The Stand Up Paddleboard Division fields a jam-packed field of surfers led by current Hyundai Tour ratings leader Shayne Baxter (Chch) after he claimed his second national title in the division at Piha. Baxter will continue his head-to-head battle with Raglan’s Daniel Kereopa who won the first event of the Hyundai Tour at his home break at the start of January.

The stand up paddleboarders will also take to the water in the ‘King of the Waves’ race where over 20 paddlers navigate their way around a 3.0km course running through the waves. Raglan surfer Armie Armstrong currently leads the series after winning the most recent race to pick up this weekend’s ‘leaders vest’ with Jeremy Stephenson (Auck) in second and Shayne Baxter (Chch) in third.

Down to the Final

The Stand Up Paddleboard Semifinals were dominated by the two stand out performers of the discipline – Daniel Kereopa (Rag) and Shayne Baxter (Chch). Both surfers found themselves contesting the same heat. Kereopa came out on top on this occasion but the Christchurch surfer will only use that to fuel the fire when the finals come around later in the week.

“There is a bit of southern pride in every one of my performances. I get chicken skin whenever I head out there and that is because I want to represent Christchurch proudly” said Baxter. “I definitely want to represent Christchurch and put a smile on a few faces down there because we have been through some tough times” said Baxter who expects the conditions to be more favourable for the stand up paddleboarders later in the week.

In the second semifinal it was the Whangamata pairing of Karl Aarsen and Lynden Kennings who moved through to the final. Kereopa, Baxter and Kennings hold the only three national titles contested in the division so bragging rights will go on the line when the final is contested.

Stand Up Paddleboard Semifinals
Heat 1
Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 13.5, 1, Shayne Baxter (ChCh), 10.57, 2, Warwick Gray (Hawaii), 6.83, 3, Annabel Anderson (Auck), 4.13, 4
Heat 2
Karlos Aarsen (Whmata), 12.1, 1, Lynden Kennings (Whgmata), 10.57, 2, Armie Armstrong (Rag), 7.5, 3, Jeremy Stephenson (Auck), 5.7, 4

Big Swells Hamper Start Of Hyundai National Surfing Champs

Lynden Kennings

The bad weather that continues to plague New Zealand this summer has had an impact on day one of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships at Piha today (Sunday 15^th January) with the remnants of the large westerly swell holding throughout the day.

Army Armstrong

The conditions restricted action to only four hours of surfing in the solid 2.0m swells. The Open Longboard and Stand Up Paddleboard divisions hit the water as well as the ever entertaining Stand Up Paddleboard race that brought the beach to their feet as they navigated the beach break conditions.

Karl Aarsen

 Stand Up Paddleboard Round 1
Heat 1
Gavin Broadbent (Auck), 6.67, 1, Annabel Anderson (Auck), 5.3, 2, Georgia Schofield (Auck), 3, 3, Sasha Brownlie (Auck), 2.1, 4

Stand Up Paddleboard Round Quarterfinals
Heat 1
Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 13.23, 1, Warwick Gray (Hawaii), 8.27, 2, Gavin Broadbent (Auck), 7.97, 3, Shane Murrell (Auck), 5.77, 4
Heat 2
Shayne Baxter (ChCh), 13.5, 1, Annabel Anderson (Auck), 3.93, 2, Scott Eliott (Auck), 0, 3, Maria Kingi (Piha), NS, 4
Heat 3
Karlos Aarsen (Whmata), 9.83, 1, Jeremy Stephenson (Auck), 9.6, 2, Sean Hovell (Gis), 8.33, 3, Robert Hawkins (Rag), 4.6, 4
Heat 4
Armie Armstrong (Rag), 9.87, 1, Lynden Kennings (Whgmata), 9.77, 2, Charlie Crews (Ham), 6.33, 3, Mike Cann (Auck), 3.9, 4

Stand Up Paddleboard Race
1^st Armie Armstrong (Rag), 2^nd Jeremy Stephenson (Auck), 3^rd Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 4^th Shayne Baxter (Chch)

Shayne Baxter

Hyundai LBT 2012

Shayne Baxter,Armie Armstrong,Sean Hovell, and D.K.

Daniel Kereopa winning form pic CPL

Shayne Baxter pic CPL

 

On your marks get set go!

Army rounding the third bouy

Warrick Grey powering to a win

 

Shayne Murell being chase around the mark

 

Army trying to catch Jeremy at the finish line

 

From left to right Sean Hovell,Army and Warrick Grey.( Where is Jeremy)

Stand Up Paddleboard Semifinals
Heat 1
Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 12.4, 1, Armie Armstrong (Rag), 9.03, 2, Te Roha Farlie (Gis), 9, 3

Shane Murrell (Auck), 6.13, 4
Heat 2
Shayne Baxter (ChCh), 15.33, 1, Sean Hovell (Gis), 10.97, 2, Mike Cann (Auck), 9.8, 3, Karlos Aarsen (Whmata), 9.23, 4

Stand Up Paddleboard Final
Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 15.3, 1, Shayne Baxter (ChCh), 13.23, 2, Sean Hovell (Gis), 9.97, 3, Armie Armstrong (Rag), 8.5, 4

Stand Up Paddleboard Race
1^st Warwick Grey (Waihi Beach), 2^nd Jeremy Stephenson (Auck), 3^rd Armie Armstrong (Rag), 4^th Sean Hovell (Gis)

2012 Hyundai Tour Set For Start At Raglan

The 2012 Hyundai Tour will kick some life into summer starting early January, with five events taking place at iconic surf spots around New Zealand. World – renowned surf destination, Raglan, is included in the mix for the first time in the tours’ six-year history.

The 2012 Hyundai Tour will also travel to Piha, Sandy Bay and Mount Maunganui before the season concludes at Port Waikato in early March.

Raglan will be the location on everyone’s minds, as it is not only the first event of the season, but is also the only point break on tour.

Raglan local surfing legend and seasoned Hyundai Tour campaigner Michael Thomson was in high spirits when told the tour was visiting his home break.

“Manu Bay is a great venue. It has been eight years since a major longboard event was held here but everyone always wants to come to Raglan” Thomson said.

“The guys that come from beach breaks won’t believe their luck with the waves at Manu Bay; they go for ever and never close out. I think it will be those guys that will be the most rapt about competing here.”

Thomson will look to win back his Over 50 Men’s Division title, which he lost to Viv Treacy (Ocean Beach) in 2011. And with his local knowledge of the left hand point break, he will get the best possible start to the summer season.

The Hyundai Tour’s most anticipated and fun filled stop at Sandy Bay will be staged over four days on Waitangi weekend, and will remain part of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Australasia Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS), with a one-star rating.

The international sanctioning ensures the best longboard proponents in this corner of the world will return to New Zealand to compete for valuable rating points towards their qualification for the ASP World Longboard Tour.

Hyundai New Zealand has been the main supporter and title sponsor of the National Champs for the seventh straight year as part of their long standing partnership with surfing in New Zealand. The announcement of the 2012 tour follows Hyundai’s confirmation of their commitment to the sport of surfing and Surfing New Zealand for a further year.

In preparation for the Hyundai Tour events season, Hyundai has been working with Surfing New Zealand to create a series of family friendly events aimed at getting locals and visitors along and joining in.

“The Hyundai Tour events are a great family day out at the beach, whether you love surfing, are keen to give surfing a try, or just want to enjoy the sunshine while watching some world class surfing action,” says Hyundai New Zealand’s Chief Operating Officer Tom Ruddenklau.

“This year also marks the 50^th anniversary of the National Surfing Championships, which will be celebrated at the Piha event in January, so we hope Aucklanders will join us while we mark this significant milestone in the history of New Zealand surfing.”

Surfing New Zealand CEO Greg Townsend says he is thrilled with how the 2012 tour is evolving.

“A lot of work has gone into the tour this year, and we are very pleased to have Hyundai back supporting the surfers more than ever in 2012,” he said.

“The Hyundai Tour continues to grow and I have no doubt we will witness some spectacular surfing, great family times and a lot of fun when the events commence in January.”

The tour will hunt out the best surfing family in New Zealand throughout 2012 with all family entries into events going into the draw to win New Zealand’s most popular diesel family wagon, the Santa Fe, for a year at the end of the season. This further promotes the fantastic family atmosphere that surfing and the Hyundai Tour is renowned for, while retaining that friendly rivalry in the key divisions when mates hit the water.

The 2012 Open Men’s Division Tour winner will also receive an all expenses paid trip to Australia and entry into the Noosa Surf Festival – one of the three other ASP LQS events held in the region. The prize was claimed by Australian Josh Constable in 2011 so the Kiwi surfers will be keen to wrestle back the number one spot and accolades in 2012.

Overall the Hyundai Tour will boast $20,000 in prize money with both the Sandy Bay and Port Waikato events having a six-star rating for the domestic tour.

Seven divisions will be contested on the tour – Open Men, Women, Junior Men (Under 18), Over 40, Over 50 and Stand Up Paddleboarding and the SUP Race.

The complete calendar of events for the 2012 Hyundai Tour follows:

Hyundai Tour Event 1, 7-8 January, Raglan (4-star)
Hyundai Tour Event 2, 15-21 January, Piha (5-star) – National Championships
Hyundai Tour Event 3, 3-6 February, Sandy Bay (SNZ 6-star / ASP LQS 1-star)
Hyundai Tour Event 4, 18-19 February, Mount Maunganui (4-star)
Hyundai Tour Event 5, 2-3 March, Port Waikato (6-star)

Entry into the events can be completed at Surfing New Zealand under “events” from the 1^st December. Complete the entry process online or download entry forms and send them in. The 2012 Hyundai Tour is expected to receive high entry levels, so entrants will need to be in well before the cut off dates to assure themselves a slice of the action.

The past five years of Hyundai Tour champions for their respective divisions are listed below.

Open Men
2007 – Daniel Kereopa (Rag)
2008 – Daryn Mcbride (Mnt)
2009 – Michael Burling (Gis)
2010 – Dylan Barnfield (Ohope)
2011 – Josh Constable (Australia)

Women
2007 – Anna Jolly (Piha)
2008 – Daisy Thomas (Chch)
2009 – Daisy Thomas (Chch)
2010 – Daisy Thomas (Chch)
2011 – Shelley Jones (Auck)

Over 40
2007 – Michael Thomson (Rag)
2008 – Michael Thomson (Rag)
2009 – Lynden Kennings (WGM)
2010 – Grant Cochrane (Chch)
2011 – Brian Young (Orewa)

Over 50
2007 – Michael Thomson (Rag)
2008 – Viv Treacy (Whangarei)
2009 – David Storck (Piha)
2010 – Michael Thomson (Rag)
2011 – Viv Treacy (Ocean Beach)

Junior Men
2007 – Dylan Barnfield (Ohope)
2008 – Sam Guthrie (Mnt)
2009 – Sam Guthrie (Mnt)
2010 – Jackson Winter (Noosa, Aus)
2011 – Hone Douglas (Whtane)

Stand Up Paddleboard
2010 – Shayne Baxter (Chch)
2011 – Daniel Kereopa (Rag)

Stand Up Paddleboard Race
2011 – Armie Armstrong (Rag)