Raglan surfer Billy Stairmand lived up to his favourite's tag at the national surfing championships yesterday, winning the open men's division in ferocious conditions at Piha Beach.
It was his fourth title, equalling Maz Quinn who finished second in the final, and he's now one title behind record-holders Wayne Parkes and Iain Buchanan who have five each.
The swell built throughout the day and peaked over 2m by the time of the men's final, which proved challenging for New Zealand's best surfers.
Stairmand took a stranglehold early, posting a 9.6-point ride before surfing to another 9-point ride and an impressive 18.6-point total.
Quinn was second with 14.90, with Alex Dive on 11.6 and Tane Wallis fourth with 11.