Finals day moves to Nine Mile Beach as the swell that has given so much all week abates and a building north swell fills in at the 2022 New Zealand Surfing National Championships held at Westport.
Open Men’s Champion 2022 Daniel Farr.
Finals day never disappoints on these big occasions with Daniel Farr and Billy Stairmand locking horns in a thrilling final that ratcheted up and up as the heat progressed. In the first 10 minutes Billy sat on his own peak – a rip bowl right and went to town on the rights to establish a comfortable lead. Then he hustled down to where Levi Stewart, Daniel Farr and Reuben Woods were waging a battle. It was an exciting move, but Billy met with a feisty Daniel. Dan paddled away and then took the move to heart and sold Billy on a wave before taking the second that gave him a huge air reverse. The judges weren’t fond of the single air, but that didn’t stop Dan from finding another ramp and going even bigger, finishing with a salute to the judging tower and locking himself into first. Billy chased a better score, and thought he had it, but Dan proved to wily to take the win – his first Open Men’s title.
Open Women’s Champion Paige Hareb at the 2022 New Zealand Surfing Championships held at Nine Mile Beach, Westport.
In the women’s the battle came down to Paige Hareb and Ava Henderson. Both strong surfers went blow for blow, but it was Paige who pulled out all her class to take the win – her first Open Women’s National title and her second title of the event, after she won the Over 30s category.
Other standouts included Jack Tyro, who claimed three titles at the event: two in longboard and one in the Under 16 Boys. Reuben Woods won the most outstanding surfer of the event for his four-final day of madness. He went 2-1-2-4 in his marathon and did it all with a huge grin and great attitude.
We’ll follow with a full report in due course. In the meantime, here’s 40 Frames:
Arena two.Event HQ, Nine Mile.David and Daniel Farr.during Day 5, Finals Day, at the 2022 New Zealand Surfing Championships held at Tauranga Bay, Westport, New Zealand.Rakiatea Tau hammering home his Under 18 win.Rocco and Jack McKenzie.Gabi Paul all style. U14 champ Poppy Entwistle is one to watch.Lyndon and Josh Fairbairn.Alexis Owen clinical into the Under 14 title.Lexi Owen stoked with Under 14 title number 2.Reuben Woods. Legend. Even his wife won a title!The lineup at Nine Mile.Jack Tyro three-times a champion. Traditional tattoo with Nick Roberts.Beachside art.Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap …Tattoo with s finals view.Gavin Bisman. Legend. The real Johnny Fenton.Billy Stairmand focused.One.Two.Three.Four.Five.Six.Seven.Eight.Nine.Ten.Eleven.Our 2022 champion Daniel Farr.David Farr, overcome with emotion.Team Taranaki, respect.Jai Earnshaw, local legend. Stella Smith carving in her final.Ava gets some heat strat from local Jai Earnshaw.Ava on form throughout the event.Ava Henderson, Under 18 champ 2022.Roxy, the legend who keeps the wheels turning.Spencer Rowson shining throughout the event.Rakiatea Tau on a tear.Rakiatea “Rocco” Tau, national champion Under 18s.Spencer Rowson fell to a priority interference.Mr Mike Hareb.Matt with his hand on the silverware.Kalani Louis.Local legend Jonathan Harris.Billie and mum Karen.Jack Tyro can ride anything.Pia Rogers National Under 16 Champ and Open Women’s finalist.Westport locals are the best spectators, never change.Billie Scott, national SUP champ. Anna Hawes 5-months pregnant, still making finals. Legend..Lucy TeMoananui, number 1.Stella and her mini me.The Owen’s family as mum surfs in her final.Paige Hareb unstoppable in 2022.Paige with her family.Hugs from mum.Jai gets a congratulatory kiss from Jen.Daniel Farr celebrates his win.