Surfing: World champ simply the crest

They came, they surfed, they conquered.

A team of international surfers - including three-times world champion Andy Irons - beat the New Zealand combination in front of 15,000 devoted fans who rugged up at Piha yesterday.

Hawaiians Sunny Garcia, Irons, and Australians Joel Parkinson and surfing legend Mark Occhilupo, just managed to out-perform the home team of Maz Quinn and Bobby Hansen of Gisborne, and Raglan's Daniel Kereopa and Morehu Roberts, winning the overall competition by scoring 60 points to the Kiwis' 50. Points were gained by performing the most difficult manoeuvres on the best waves.

The first round-robin comprised four 20-minute heats in which four surfers competed, two New Zealanders and two internationals.

The competition then culminated in an hour-long Tag Team event, with all eight competitors fighting for the last 10 points on offer. Irons sealed victory for his team after nine out of a possible 10 points. Conditions at Piha were "contestable" with waves of 1m.


- HERALD ON SUNDAY