Surfing: Cash incentive for elite surfers

TOP CLASS: World Junior title holder Ella Williams, of Whangamata, in action.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The Billabong Pro will return to Whangamata in 2014 with the event scheduled to take place on Waitangi weekend.

After a year's absence, the Billabong Pro is making a comeback with an event coined 'Heats for Hundies'.

From the first round of the Open Men and Women's Divisions, the winner of each heat through to the final will walk away with a crisp red note.

The aim is to make competitors attack each heat for a win rather than just progressing to the next round.

"Everyone will be trying to win each and every heat, it will make the heats harder I reckon because all the guys will be trying that much more to win each heat and take the money," said Mount Maunganui's Buck Woods, who is delighted to see the event return to Whangamata.

"It is always one of the most fun events to go to, everyone enjoys going to Whanga for the weekend and we usually get fun waves" added Woods.

Woods will be joined by some of New Zealand's leading surfers including Maz Quinn, Matt Hewitt, Sean Peggs and Alex Dive.

International campaigners Richard Christie and Billy Stairmand, who placed 81st and 87th respectively on the ASP World Qualifying Series in 2013, may miss the event with the Australian Open scheduled to start on February 10.

Gisborne's Bobby Hansen is the Open Men's Division defending champion.

Local Whangamata favourite and new ASP World Junior Champion Ella Williams will miss her home event after a clash with international commitments in Australia. Williams won the 2012 Billabong Pro and is disappointed she will not take part.

"I really wanted to compete at home this summer so it is a real unfortunate clash. However, I know I have to chase the international events and the Australian Open is a big event on the Australasian Pro Junior Series that I cannot afford to miss," said Williams.

Williams' absence will open the door for a number of other surfers, including 2012 National Champion Mischa Davis, local surfer Grace Spiers and Raglan's Alexis Poulter and Jessica Santorik.

The Billabong Pro event will run in conjunction with the second event of the Billabong Grom Series, on February 8-9.

Staging the events at the same time will allow young surfers a chance to mingle with the best in New Zealand and aspire to reach the elite level of our top international surfers.

This is a feature that has been missing from many events, with the NZ Pro Series events and series such as the Billabong Grom Series separating the groms from those surfers in the Open Division.

The Billabong Pro is a four-star event and is the second of five in the Pro Series, which kicks off with the National Championships in Gisborne on January 12-18. Other events are contested at Raglan, Dunedin and Hawkes Bay.