Billy Stairmand
Billy was ranked third last time around. In that time he has climbed not just one spot, but into the hearts of thousands as our first ever male Olympic surf athlete. His gutsy campaign at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was the peak of his performance at the time … it was inspired … taken down by the eventual gold medalist in the end.
And then Billy just kept getting better. Something happened during that lead up to the Olympics. Perhaps it was the weight of the nation, perhaps it was the teachings and revelations from being inside New Zealand’s High Performance Sport environment, but Billy changed. For the better.
His approach to the 2022/2023 QS season was a master stroke for surfing in New Zealand. Billy shared his knowledge with Kehu, Levi and Saffi Vette, taking them under his wing and booking accommodation for the Australian leg. He claims he got more out of the simple act of kindness than anyone, but what he created saw all the athletes lift. For the first time ever there was a Kiwi presence that transcended anything that had gone before it. Billy was giving back and in return he was creating an environment for them all to succeed.
The proof is in his results, with five top 10 finishes from seven events and that includes a win, two seconds, a fourth and a fifth in his 12th season on the QS. Billy qualified for the Challenger Series in 4th place for the 2021/2022 season.
The Challenger Series season never fired for Billy. He at times looked good only to be ousted in the dying moments by an opponent. It was heart breaking to watch.
“I learn from every heat,” Billy told us. “Each time I see it as an opportunity to learn, and there is a lot to learn in this sport.”
In between, Billy who is seasoned to the need to also contest QS events alongside the main CS contests, went to the Krui Pro. There he roomed with Daniel Farr and imparted his knowledge. Billy was rewarded with a superb campaign in really solid Krui walls, finishing second to Jesse Mendes in the final.
He now sits in seventh overall on the 2022/2023 Australia/Oceania QS rankings with just two events of his possible five, and ahead of the Australian leg.
“Billy is amazing,” offers Paige Hareb. “He’s the only Kiwi to beat Kelly Slater and has been close to qualifying for the world tour before. I still believe he can do it.”
You have to remember when we are talking about Billy Stairmand, he is the giant killer – in 2011 he beat Kelly Slater at Margaret River in WA. Then in 2015 he also beat three-time World Champ Mick Fanning in a heat at Manly, NSW. He has the ability to produce the type of surfing that can knock the wind out of the world’s very best. We know that for sure. We also know that he loved his Olympic experience. We know he’s on a mission toward Teahupo’o 2024.
