KEY POINTS:
One of the strongest fields yet will compete at the national surfing championships in Taranaki on Saturday.
The eight-day competition has attracted not only world-ranked surfers Maz Quinn, Bobby Hansen, Jay Quinn and Matt Scorringe but also most of the emerging young Kiwi surfers based in Australia.
Some 14 of those are competing on the Australasian Pro Junior Tour and most will return this week.
The nationals are being held a week later than usual, and the likes of Gisborne's Richard Christie and Auckland's Mischa Davis will have the chance to chase the national crown.
Last year, Christie missed the opportunity to defend the open and junior titles he won at 16 - the youngest open men's national champion.
Davis has not competed in the event since 2004 when finishing third behind Airini Mason at Piha. Davis finished fourth in the Australian pro junior series last year while Mason won the tour.
Gisborne's Maz Quinn is gunning for his fifth open men's title, a feat achieved by only two other surfers.
- NZPA
