Surfing: Arataki duo dominate juniors

Kehu Butler won two more national titles on the weekend. Photo / PhotoCPL

While Raglan surfer Billy Stairmand won the Open Men's division at the National Championships, two young Arataki surfers dominated the junior divisions.

Kehu Butler claimed a double title with the Under-18 and Under-16 boys' divisions and Kea Smith claimed the Under-18 and the Under-16 girls' divisions. Both surfers excelled in the large conditions on the final day of the event.

On the penultimate day of the event Kaya Horne, 13, from Mount Maunganui ran away with the final in the Under-14 boys' division posting a 12.03 point heat title for the win ahead of Dylan Preston (WGM), Tom Butland (Tara) and Caleb Cutmore (Ham).

Horne returned home from Australia where he has been based for the past several years. This week, he fitted back in perfectly with his Bay of Plenty family, enjoying being back in New Zealand and finishing the week off with a title.

The diminutive young natural foot surfer was chaired up the beach by his mates.

In the senior men's divisions the title went to Jeremy Williams (Mount Maunganui) in the over-55s, Geoff Hutchison (Rag) in the over-50s and Rick Lasch (Auck) in the over-45s.

Christchurch surfer Shayne Baxter defended his Stand Up Paddleboard Division title narrowly defeating Daniel Kereopa (Rag) who placed second ahead of Ben Poulter (Waihi Beach) and Lynden Kennings (WGM).

Baxter also came runner-up in the Paddleboard Race which was held at the peak of the swell and won by Armie Armstrong (Rag). Shane Murrell (Auck) placed third ahead of triple finalist Daniel Kereopa (Rag). Penelope Strickland (Auck) was the lone female that completed the race after several of her opponents succumbed to the big waves.

Kereopa added to his Stand Up Paddleboard trophies with wins in the Over-28 Men's Division and Over-35 Men's Division. By way of his finals day performance, Kereopa claimed the Peter Byers Award for the most outstanding performance for the event. The accolades continued with his Point Boardriders Club also winning the Interclub Championship.