Young stand-out Elliot Paerata-Reid (Piha) blitzed his quarter-final with the highest heat score of the national surfing championships yesterday, scoring 15.33 out of 20 points.
"I am stoked, I didn't actually realise" Paerata-Reid said when informed of his performance in the under-16 boys event.
Smashing solid backhand turns on the Piha Bar, Paerata-Reid then repositioned himself over towards the centre of the beach and appeared to have the control over the break that only a local could.
"I have a huge advantage being at home and today my dad scoped out the line-up while I was warming up and stretching," said Paerata-Reid. "I mean, I know where to sit but he points places out as well."
Hyundai Tour ratings leader Thomas Kibblewhite (Auckland) left it until the last wave in his semifinal of the longboard division to make his move and advance through to the final against Gisborne's Michael Fitzharris in a bid to defend his title.
