Gizzy surfers power through Round 1 of open men’s division at surfing nationals

Surfing NZ life member and four-time open men's champion Maz Quinn from Gisborne defeated 2022 and 2024 national open champion Daniel Farr of New Plymouth in the open men's Round 1 heats of the nationals in Gisborne today. Farr was second in the four-man heat and advanced to Round 2. Photo / PhotoCPL

A couple of Gizzy 40-somethings showed class is forever as they advanced to Round 2 of the open men’s division at the national surfing championships in Gisborne today.

Maz Quinn and Damon Gunness, both former open champs, remained in the title hunt – Quinn continuing from where he left off in winning the over-40 men’s crown on Tuesday.

The small waves at the Creeks surf break at Makorori cleaned up considerably for Day 4 action featuring the open women and open men.

Abbie Cook was only Gisborne surfer to ride her way into the women’s quarter-finals, to be held on Saturday. She placed second in her heat to progress.

Gunness, who won the open title at Raglan in 2002, moved into Round 2 after placing second in his heat with a score of 11.76 for his two best waves.

Gisborne teenager Jaxon Pardoe also went through after finishing second in his heat with 10.70. The 2024 U14 national champion, Pardoe is also contesting the U16 division this year.

Another local, Johnny Hicks, went through as well – a last-minute wave making the difference as he jumped into second with 11.26.

Fellow East Coast Surfriders Club member Nick White leapt to an early lead in his heat with a 6.67 ride, then added 6.57 to win it and progress.

Quinn, the open champion in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2006, stamped his class over his heat with a 7.50 opening wave and added a 6.73 score for 14.23, heading off two-time open champion Daniel Farr (12.70) of New Plymouth.

Another East Coast Surfrider, Flynn McGregor, won a closely contested heat to stay in the title hunt – 0.67 separating the top three.

Two-time open winner Jay Quinn was due to surf in the last heat of the day.

In additional results from finals on Tuesday, Gisborne’s Stella Smith retained her women’s stand-up paddleboard title with a 13.60 total. Smith posted rides of 5.67 points and 7.93 to head off Mount Maunganui’s Billie Scott (11.0).

Also on Tuesday, Regan Fairlie from Toko (Tokomaru Bay) Boardriders was runner-up in the men’s SUP final with a combined score of 11.86, behind Karlos Aarsen (Whangamatā) on 13.37.

The champs continue on Thursday with U14 boys and girls semi-finals and Round 2 for the U16 boys and open men.