World Longboard Champ Heading For Kaikoura

Josh Constable, the current world ASP Longboard surfing champion, is a confirmed starter for the R&R Sport South Island International Longboard Pro-Am held in association with Hyundai in Kaikoura from Friday 17th March to Sunday 19th March.

Organisers, the Sumner and Kaikoura Longboarders, say entries have been flooding in for the event which has been rated as the most prestigious longboard surfing event in New Zealand. Sumner Longboarders spokesman Mark Boomer rates the field is the best to arrive on these shores since Raglan hosted the final of the ASP World Longboard Championships in 2003.

This year the event will contain a line up of the top Australian, European and American surfers as well as top locals. Constable who won his world title in Costa Rica is a regular attendee coming for his fourth consecutive visit. He will be pitted against the best Australian and New Zealand longboarders as well as the likes of Elliot Dudley from Wales and the current Queensland champ Jackson Close. Close, another making his fourth trip to these shores will be keen to win back the Pro-Am title he won in 2003.

Evergreen surfer, tandem surfing expert and didgeridoo maestro Steve Montell of Noosa, Australia will also be one to watch especially in his specialist divisions the noserider and Old Mal. As well as the overseas surfers, Mr Consistency and reigning 2006 champion Michael Fitzharris (Gis), will be after some points in order to get back the tour lead which has been grabbed by the versatile Daniel Kereopa (Rag). Kereopa is the Men’s Open and Senior (shortboard) champion, is leading the 2007 Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour and has just been awarded the Australasian Big Wave paddle-in award. His presence is sure to draw the crowds regardless of what flavour of surfing. Last year the emergence in all divisions of local surfers showed that the Kiwis can foot it with the best and the internationals can expect some fiery competition for the big cash prizes on offer.

Strong women’s fields in recent times have given the Kiwi surfers the benchmark to achieve and Australian women’s number two surfer Emma Wilson will be keen to ensure she takes home the winnings ,

The 2007 event sees new event sponsors R&R sport joining Hyundai in making a commitment to longboard surfing and to this outstanding event . The Kaikoura contest is the fifth of six events on the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour which has generated huge interest in longboard surfing on both the local and national scene this year.

Longboard lengths are 9 foot and over, reflecting the original surfing styles of the pre 1967 shortboard revolution. Surfers are judged on their ability to perform manoeuvres such as walking the board and “hanging 5 or 10 toes over the front of the board. Judges also look for the style and poise with which the manoeuvres are performed. Modern longboard construction also allows surfers to perform moves that used to solely be the domain of the shortboard fraternity. Judges also factor in this a mix of traditional/progressive styles.

A $7,000 plus prize purse make this the richest contest on the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour, helping to attract top surfers to the cooler waters north of the Kaikoura coast. As a Surfing New Zealand five star rated event, points for the keenly contested tour title are also up for grabs. Hyundai’s commitment to the longboarding scene has catapulted competitive longboarding back into prominence.

A feature of Longboard contests are the Old Mal and Noserider divisions. Old Mal is surfed on traditional 1960’s boards that test surfers skill, patience and endurance. Noserider is a crowd favourite where surfers are judged on the number of seconds they spend at the nose of the board. Noseriding is deemed the ultimate skill in longboarding and a $1,000 prize pool will keep all competitors honest. Other divisions also include Junior U18, Over 40’s and Over 50’s.

On Saturday night SOANE a Reggae Dub DJ will be playing at the Kaikoura Memorial Hall. SOANE played at this years big day out and is sure to attract a good crowd for Saturday night. Tickets are $10 limited to 400 contact Dave Lewis on 0212555653. The prizegiving on Sunday will again be at Hapuku Lodge at the conclusion of the event.

Hosts from the local Mangamaunu Marae have been highly supportive of this event and as well as providing on site accommodation for visiting entrants share a customary seafood lunch with competitors on the final day. The flavour of the food adding to the overall flavour the most friendly, scenic and most highly rated surf contests in the southern hemisphere.

Source: Surfing New Zealand

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