Young surfers ride wave of success

Raglan's Daniel Kereopa will contest the men's stand up paddleboard final today. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Confident teenagers tackle powerful seas at national championships at Piha to move into semifinals today

A new era in female surfing was ushered in at the 2015 Billabong national surfing championships yesterday as six young surfers forced their way into the semifinals of the open women's division.

In a building 1.5m-2.0m swell, the youngsters, many of whom are contesting three divisions at this week's event, showed they had the ability and the confidence to tackle the powerful waves at Piha Beach. Six of the eight semifinalists in the open division are under 20 with some as young as 14.

Gabriella Sansom (Long Bay) top scored for the day, posting 11.83 out of a possible 20 points to win her match-up and progress alongside the youngest competitor, Zhana Hutchieson (Taranaki). The two goofy-footers surfed the Piha Bar, completing some big turns on the end closeout sections to advance.

The two will now face Elin Tawharu (Mt Maunganui) and Britt Kindred (Muriwai), who together eliminated number one seed Jasmine Smith (Gisborne). Tawharu and Kindred were New Zealand representatives in 2014 and will relish the chance to contest the semifinals and have a chance to push for national selection again this year.

Other young surfers to make it through to the semifinals included Claudia Fraser (Piha) and National Under-18 Scholastic Champion Dayna Story (Gisborne).

In the stand up paddleboard divisions, defending champion Shayne Baxter (Christchurch) will go head to head with Daniel Kereopa once more in today's final, the two surfers having battled out numerous finals previously. They will be joined by 2010 champion Lynden Kennings and Ben Poulter (Waihi Beach).

Poulter's older sister Alexis defended her title in the women's stand up paddleboard, defeating locals Penelope Strickland and Maria Kingi and Raglan's Renee Davenport.

Thomas Kibblewhite won through to the final of the men's longboard. Kibblewhite recently contested the world championships in China, where he placed 17th and qualified for the 2015 event to be held later in the year. He will be joined by Andrew Robinson, Tane Wallis and Jordan Griffin in the final.

The top seeds of the open men's division look likely to hit the water today. The likes of top seed and four-time national champion Maz Quinn will be in action with the highest internationally ranked surfer in the event, Billy Stairmand. Day four will also see the introduction of all senior age group divisions.

The swell is forecast to plateau overnight with more favourable and lighter winds expected today.