KEY POINTS:
The early stages of the National Surfing Championships are set to be run in excellent conditions. A good swell is forecast to march up the west coast towards Piha Beach and easterly winds are predicted.
This could mean that the Open Men's Division, featuring the likes of defending champion Jay Quinn and his brother Maz, could hit the water tomorrow, the first day of the event.
It runs until January 17 and marks the second of six competitions on the 2008/09 Corona Crown Series and also the second event on the 2009 Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour.
The Quinn brothers of Gisborne look set for a major battle as Jay seeks to win back-to-back titles, while No 1 seed Maz hopes for his fifth title.
Only five surfers in the history of the National Champs have successfully defended the Open Men's title, the last time being in 1991 when the event was also held at Piha.
Jay, having stepped down from the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series, will have his sights clearly focused on the title, this event being one of few he will contest in 2009.
His build-up to the National Championships has been far from perfect with beaches at Gisborne resembling a lake for the past two weeks but he has been based at Piha training this week.
"I don't mind Piha. I have had good results here in the past and was runner-up to Maz at the 2004 Nationals so I am happy competing here."
Maz echoed the sentiments. "I like competing at Piha, probably because it is usually over two feet and the waves have a bit of push. I surf at Piha heaps with friends so I know the beach fairly well."
Maz also has a significant milestone in sight. Victory would see him perched next to Wayne Parkes and Iain Buchanan as the only three surfers to secure five Open Men's titles at the event.
While Maz has a string of international achievements, including being the first New Zealand surfer to contest the ASP World Championship Tour, a title in 2009 would be highly valuable to the patriotic Kiwi surfer.
"This event is the most prestigious in New Zealand," said Maz. "The event doesn't have any extra meaning this year. It has always been the most important for me regardless of whether I have been on tour or not."
Despite a huge turnout of surfers for the event, the Quinn brothers have had their task made easier with the non-appearance of New Zealand's highest-ranked surfer and winner of the O'Neill Sequence Surf Shop Pro, Bobby Hansen. Richard Christie, the 2005 National Champion and the highest-ranked Kiwi on the ASP Australasian Pro Junior Series, will also be absent.
Returning to the competitive fray is Raglan's Daniel Kereopa, who retired from competing after winning the National Champs in 2007. Kereopa has continued to compete on the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour since his semi-retirement.
"I just want to get back into the mix with all the top New Zealand surfers," said Kereopa of his return. "I want to see where my surfing is at in relation to others, I have been away for a year so all the boys may have improved."
The unseeded Kereopa will be surfing from Round 1 and will take full advantage of the good waves forecast as he potentially surfs his way towards the top seeds.
This year's National Championships see the introduction of two additional divisions: the Stand Up Paddle and Over 55 Men. After an explosion of stand up paddleboards, the new division could well be a spectacle to witness.
A massive 23 national titles will go on the line at the event which will be contested by more than 300 entries over the weekend.
It is 35 years since the National Championships was first staged at Piha in 1974.
