Surfing: Longboard event run in Papamoa

Owen Barnes defended his Over 40s longboard title at Papamoa on Saturday. PHOTO/LUKE LARKING

Auckland surfer Thomas Kibblewhite (Red Beach) defended his men's Longboard Division title at the Barrett Homes New Zealand Longboard and SUP Open held at Papamoa Beach on Saturday.

Kibblewhite had not competed since his 2017 win at the event but slipped straight back into top form throughout the day making his way to the final and then posting a 15.33 point heat total for the win.

It is the third time Kibblewhite has won the event in the past five years.

The surf remained clean for the majority of the day with variable winds and a strong 1.0m — 1.5m swell in front of Papamoa Domain before the sea breeze increased late in the afternoon.

The final saw Kibblewhite defeat Ohope surfer Dylan Barnfield for a second time in as many heats with a 15.33 point heat total compared with Barnfield's 12.67. Barnfield has been absent from competition for several years but his class was evident all day, particularly in the semifinals where he and Kibblewhite along with Mount local Owen Barnes surfed a high-scoring heat that comprised several major lead changes.

Finishing third in the final was national champion and New Zealand representative Zen Wallis (Piha) with Whakatane surfer Joe Stewart finishing in fourth place.

Waihi Beach surfer Alexis Poulter claimed the title in the women's Longboard after a tough four-way battle in the final. Poulter, a double finalist after competing in the women's Stand Up Paddleboard final, sealed her victory on her last wave surfing to a 9.03 point total heat score. She defeated New Zealand representative Gabi Paul (Piha) who finished second ahead of Kiri Binnersley (Mount) in third and Sunny Yoshida (Rag) in fourth.

Auckland's Ollie Houghton (Takapuna) claimed the double with the Starboard Men's Stand Up Paddleboard Surfing Division and King of the Waves race.

Houghton made up for a semifinal exit at the nationals in January with the win, posting a 12.5 point heat total in the final. Houghton defeated Sean Hovell (Gis) who challenged for the win on several occasions but could not find the speed or match the precision of the Takapuna teenager. Whangamata surfer Karlos Aarsen finished in third place ahead of local Mark Jones.

The untouchable Stella Smith (Gis) claimed her second win of the season in the Starboard Women's Stand Up Paddleboard Division. Smith posted 12.4 points in the final with her aggressive approach. Alexis Poulter could not secure the double but finished in second place ahead of Kaikoura surfer Lucy Te Moananui in third and Eva Petrikova (Mount) in fourth.

The Over 40s and 50s Longboard Divisions were claimed by defending champions Owen Barnes (Mount) and Mark Hoyle (Orewa) respectively.