Santorik Victory at the Auahi Aotearoa Moari Titles

Local Ngati Tama surfer Leon Santorik only rode two waves in the final of the Auahi Kore Aotearoa Maori Titles but that was all it took for him to win the Billabong Open Men’s division. A stoked Santorik recently back from a stint in Australia dominated for much of the weekend and relished being back surfing his home break. A combined two wave total of 16.00 gave Santorik an easy win in the end. However, it wasn’t until the last five minutes that he jumped from fourth to first with an 8.75 point ride after only having ridden one wave in first fifteen minutes. The first to congratulate Santorik was his younger sister Jess after she had just came ashore victorious in the Roxy Open Women’s, the win completing the double that eluded them eleven months ago at the National Champs.

Daniel Kereopa (Tainui) was an obvious favourite to win the event and he looked good throughout the final but uncharacteristically fell on his best wave which may well have cost him the title. Kereopa had to settle for third behind Chris Malone (Te Aitanga a Mahaki) who weaved his smooth as silk magic scoring 14.0 in the final. Mike Banks (Ngati Toa) was his usual cutting edge best. The strategy had worked for Banks all day but in the final he came unstuck all too often placing a crowd pleasing fourth.

The swell and wind defied predictions remaining a consistent 1.0m with light sea breezes all day making for enjoyable viewing for the large crowd of spectatos that gathered at Manu Bay.

Earlier in the day Kereopa and Malone surfed one of the best heats of the event to eliminate James Fowell (Ngati Kanohi) and AJ Matthews while Santorik and Banks eliminated Jarrod Toomey (Kahunungu) and Sam Mathers (Waikato).

The Roxy Open Women’s division was highlighted by the first set of the 20 minute final as all four girls traded off perfect waves. Out of that battle it was Jessica Santorik (Ngati Tama) that stood a top her opponents with an 8.75. From there the four girls knew it was all up for grabs and everyone played witness to some of the best women’s surfing seen in this country. Kelly Clarkson (Te Arawa) was her usual powerhouse self but came unstuck at the end of a couple of waves that proved costly as she placed second behind Santorik. Santorik scored a 6.75 on her last wave five minutes from the end of the final for the win. Lisa Hurunui looked electric on her best wave but could not find a 7.0 to back up her 8.50 that she scored on her first wave. Mischa Davis (Nga Puhi) finished in fourth requiring a combination of two waves to take the title but she did not disappoint the crowd showing some glimpses of what she is capable of.

Daniel Kereopa (Tainui) took it to the field in the Hyundai Longboard division working his way to a huge 18.25 point score. It wasn’t until Kereopa rode his last two waves that his true ability levels came out when he scored 9.50 and 8.75 on consecutive waves leaving all but James Atutahi (Nga Puhi) requiring a combination of rides to win. Kereopa was throwing all nine foot of his board around like it was of the shorter variety and even nailing some old school walking of the board for good measure. Ahutahi came in second after riding the biggest wave of the final, cracking it all the way down the point sliding the tail out. Jason Matthews (Te Atiawa) narrowly finished in third with Tommy Swann (Rongowhakaata) in fourth.

Morehu Roberts proved to be unstoppable in the Rip Curl Under 18 Boys today going on to convincingly win the final. Not being able to defend his Open Men’s title, Roberts (Rongowhakaata) looked to take revenge on his fellow finalists in the Under 18s scoring 16.25. A first wave score of 9.00 gave him an early lead and he scored 7.25 on his last wave to make sure the win was in the bag. Tim O’Connor (Nga Puhi) made a late charge on his last two waves to push into second place ahead of Richard Christie (Nga Puhi) who didn’t turn it on until his last 8.0 point ride in the final to finish third. Double finalist Joseph Kelly could not improve on his fourth in the Under 16s but would have to be stoked with his results this weekend.

Bodhi Whitaker (Ngati Whakaue) chalked a rare one up over good buddy and fellow national representative Tim O’Connor (Nga Puhi) in the Volcom Under 16s. The win was based around his first ride of 8.0 where he smashed the lip all the way down Manu Bay for the highest single wave score of the final. O’Connor couldn’t find the set waves and had to settle for second scoring 13.10. Brooke Elliot (Te Arawa) placed third with 8.75 and Joseph Kelly in fourth scoring 8.25.

James Fowell (Ngati Kanohi) was on fire all weekend and after making it to the semi finals of the Open Men’s went one round better in the Rapu Over 30s and put on another stella performance that clinched him the title for 2005. His first wave of 7.25 was backed up by a 5.75 early in the piece to hold off Phillip Willoughby from claiming two titles. Clint Daly (Ngati Porou) placed third with a score of 10.70 and defending champion Shaun Coffey placed fourth.

In the Bodyline Over 35s, double finalist Phillip Willoughby (Ngati Porou) stormed to victory scoring 14.25 in the finals including an 8.0 point ride early in the final to scare off the other three contestants. Warren Asplin (Waikato) came home in second place narrowly ahead of Jason Matthews (Te Atiawa) and Raihi Rutene (Te Aitanga a Mahaki).

It was a feircly fought battle in the Mormaii Over 40s with Te Kauhoe Wano (Te Atiawa) and Dano Waiwiri (Te Atiawa) going head to head. Waiwiri got a late wave to challenge Wano but his score of 5.0 was not enough to take the lead and Wano came in the victor. Andy Matuku finished in third place with Douglas Te Ranga finishing fourth.

BILLABONG OPEN MENS Quarter finals

Heat one

Daniel Kereopa, Tainui, 1, Chris Malone, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Brandon Kingi, Nga Rauru, 3, Jason Zimmerman,Te Atiawa, 4

Heat two

AJ Matthews, 1, James Fowell, Ngati Kanohi, 2, Jesse Bramley, Tuwharetoa, 3, Cheyne Dowsett, Nga Ti Wai, 4

Heat three

Jarrod Toomey, Kahunungu, 1, Sam Mathers, Tainui, 2, Clint Daly, Ngati Porou, 3, Cody Grooves, Kahunungu, n/s

Heat four

Mike Banks, Ngati Toa, 1, Leon Santorik, Ngati Tama/Toa, 2 , Jamie Andrews, Ngati Ruanui, 3, Richard Christie, Rongomawahine, 4

BILLABONG OPEN MENS Semi finals

Heat one

Daniel Kereopa, Tainui, 1, Chris Malone, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, 2, James Fowell, Ngati Kanohi, 3, AJ Matthews, 4

Heat two

Leon Santorik, Ngati Tama/Toa, 1, Mike Banks, Ngati Toa, 2, Jarrod Toomey, Kahunungu, 3, Sam Mathers, Tainui, 4

BILLABONG OPEN MENS Finals

Leon Santorik, Ngati Tama/Toa, 1, Chris Malone, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, 2, Daniel Kereopa, Tainui, 3, Mike Banks, Ngati Toa, 4

Roxy Womens Semi finals

Heat one

Jessica Santorik, Ngati Tama/Toa, 1, Mischa Davis, Nga Puhi, 2, Wini Paul, Ngati Hine, 3

Heat two

Lisa Hurunui, Mau U Poko, 1, Kelly Clarkeson, Te Arawa, 2, Kara Stephenson, Tainui, 3

Roxy Womens Finals

Jessica Santorik, Ngati Tama/Toa, 1 Kelly Clarkeson, Te Arawa, 2, Lisa Hurunui, Mau U Poko, 3, Mischa Davis, Nga Puhi, 4

Rapu Over 30's Semi Finals

Heat one

Shaun Coffey, 1, Clint Daly, Ngati Porou, 2, Raihi Rutene, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, 3, Rueben Dewes, Ngati Porou, 4

Heat two

James Fowell, Nagti Kanohi, 1, Phillip Willoughby, Nga Puhi, 2, Murray Hartley, Ngati Toa, 3, Taitai Junior Ringia, Ngati Tahinga, 4

Rapu Over 30's Finals

Heat one

James Fowell, Nagti Kanohi, 1, Phillip Willoughby, Nga Puhi, 2, Clint Daly, Ngati Porou, 3, Shaun Coffey, 4

Rip Curl Junior Round 1

Heat one

Tim O'Connor, Waikato, 1, Joseph Kelly, Ngati Tama/Toa, 2, Cody Grooves, Kahunungu, 3, Jesse Martin, 4

Heat two

Conan James, Te Atiawa, 1, Wiremu Bowers-Rakatau, Tainui, 2, Tare Kereopa, Tainui, 3, James Gray, Waikato, 4

Heat three

Richard Christie, Rongomawahine, 1, Morehu Roberts, Ronowhakaata, 2, Zac Smith, Ngati Te Ata, 3, Jesse Bramley, Tuwharetoa, 4

Rip Curl Junior Semi finals

Heat one

Tim O'Connor, Waikato, 1, Joseph Kelly, Ngati Tama/Toa, 2, Wiremu Bowers-Rakatau, Tainui, 3

Heat two

Morehu Roberts, Ronowhakaata, 1, Richard Christie, Rongomawahine, 2, Conan James, Te Atiawa, 3,

Rip Curl Junior Finals

Tim O'Connor, Waikato, 1, Joseph Kelly, Ngati Tama/Toa, 4, Morehu Roberts, Ronowhakaata, 1, Richard Christie, Rongomawahine

Volcom Cadets (U16) Round 1

Heat one

Tim O'Connor, Waikato, 1, Hemi Clark, Tainui, 2, Jesse Martin, 3

Heat two

Johnny Hicks, Nagti Porou, 1, Brooke Elliot, Te Arawa, 2, Nathan Stewart, Ngati Awa, 3

Heat three

Zac Smith, Ngati Te Ata, 1, James Gray, Waikato, 2, Dahnu Graham, Ngapuhi/Nui Tonu, 3, Ricky Hokopaura, Pakakohe, 4

Heat four

Bhodi Whitaker, Ngati Whakaue, 1, Joseph Kelly, Ngati Tama/Toa, 2, Tare Kereopa, Tainui, 3

Volcom Cadets (U16) Semi finals

Heat one

Tim O'Connor, Waikato, 1, Brooke Elliot, Te Arawa, 2, Johnny Hicks, Nagti Porou, 3, Hemi Clark, Tainui, n/s

Heat two

Bhodi Whitaker, Ngati Whakaue, 1, Joseph Kelly, Ngati Tama/Toa, 2, Zac Smith, Ngati Te Ata, 3, James Gray, Waikato, 4,

Volcom Cadets (U16) Finals

Bhodi Whitaker, Ngati Whakaue, 1,Tim O'Connor, Waikato, 2, Brooke Elliot, Te Arawa, 3, Joseph Kelly, Ngati Tama/Toa, 4

Bodyline Over 35's Semi finals

Heat one

Jason Matthews, Te Atiawa, 1, Raihi Rutene, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, 2, James Atutahi, Nga Puhi, 3, Andy Matuku, Te Atiawa, 4

Heat two

Phillip Willoughby, Nga Puhi, 1, Warren Asplin, 2, Douglas Te Ranga, Ngati Te Rangi, 3, Reeve Hokokohe, Pakakohe/ Rauru, 4

Bodyline Over 35's Finals

Phillip Willoughby, Nga Puhi, 1, Warren Asplin, 2, Jason Matthews, Te Atiawa, 3, Raihi Rutene, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, 4

Mormaii Over 40's Semi finals

Heat one

Andy Matuku, Te Atiawa, 1, Douglas Te Ranga, Ngati Te Rangi, 2, Warren Asplin, 3, David Grogan, Rongowhakaata, 4

Heat two

Dano Waiwiri, Te Atiawa, 1, Te Kauhoe Wano, Te Atiawa, 2, Tommy Swann, Rongowhakaata, 3, John Gibson, Ngati Porou, 4

Mormaii Over 40's Finals

Te Kauhoe Wano, Te Atiawa, 1, Dano Waiwiri, Te Atiawa, 2, Andy Matuku, Te Atiawa, 3, Douglas Te Ranga, Ngati Te Rangi, 4

Hyundai Longboard Round 1

Heat one

Daniel Kereopa, Tainui, 1, Jason Matthews, Taranaki, 2, Daniel Procter, Ngati Uepohatu, 3, Ritchie Rimmer, Waikato, 4

Heat two

Tommy Swann, Rongowhakaata, 1, Jamie Andrews, Ngati Ruanui, 2, Robert Hawkins, Te Wheke (Hawk), 3, Eric Milroy, (Rock), 4

Heat three

James Atutahi, Nga Puhi, 1, Ian Proctor, Uepohatu, 2, Eddie Rare, Ngati Porou, 3, Wayne Hoben, Te Atiawa, 4

Hyundai Longboard Semi finals

Heat one

Daniel Kereopa, Tainui, 1, Jason Matthews, Taranaki, 2, Jamie Andrews, Ngati Ruanui, 3

Heat two

Tommy Swann, Rongowhakaata, 1, James Atutahi, Nga Puhi, 2, Ian Proctor, Uepohatu, 3

Hyundai Longboard Finals

Daniel Kereopa, Tainui, 1, James Atutahi, Nga Puhi, 2, Jason Matthews, Taranaki, 3, Tommy Swann, Rongowhakaata, 4

The Auahi Kore Maori Titles provides an excellent opportunity to combine elite level sport with the Maori culture of New Zealand. Spread between the eight divisions is enough room for the whole whanau (family) to be involved and this concept makes for an awesome aura around the event.

Apart from the individual titles on offer, competitors who make the finals of the Open Men's and Women’s and the Junior (U18) division will have the opportunity to be selected for future Auahi Kore Aotearoa Maori Surfing Team to attend the 2005 Oceania Surfing Cup which is being staged in Samoa during February.

The Maori Titles is more than a surfing event. It is a spiritual awareness for some, a cultural learning curve for others where entrants and supporters have the opportunity to experience various Maori traditions. Most importantly it’s a time when family and friends can come together through their tribal links to experience kotahitanga (being as one). The Maori Titles also encourage He Oranga Poutama (participating in healthy lifestyles) such as Auahi Kore, Manaakitangata and sun sense.

Source: Surfing New Zealand

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