Quinn looking good at St Clair

IN TOP FORM: Maz Quinn. File picture by Mark Stevenson

GISBORNE surfer Maz Quinn is on track to match the all-time record of five national titles after an explosive performance on Day 2 of the national surfing championships in Dunedin.

The swell built throughout the day from one metre to two metres at St Clair Beach, and light winds prevailed to provide ideal conditions for New Zealand’s top surfers.

Quinn progressed through to the semifinals of the open men’s division with a win against defending champion Billy Stairmand (Raglan), who came second in the heat and secured the other spot.

He posted a two-wave total of 15.82 out of 20, compared with Stairmand’s 13.93.

“Any time you beat Billy is good and it is a good confidence boost going into the semis,” Quinn said.

Quinn has spent a lot of time surfing in Otago and he used this experience yesterday.

“I was lucky to get into some good waves. At St Clair it is a matter of being patient and ‘snagging them off the end’. It is all about getting the right wave.”

He won his first title in 1996, and won three more in 2000, 2004 and 2006, while Stairmand has also won four and is looking to claim three in a row.

A win in Dunedin for either surfer would match the five-title record of Wayne Parkes and Iain Buchanan.

The semifinals will likely be held tomorrow at the earliest, with a southerly wind expected to mess up conditions today.

Abby Falwasser-Logan was the other Gisborne surfer in action yesterday, in the under-18 girls’ division.

She came last with a 7.83 heat-total in Round 1 against Mt Maunganui surfers Raiha Ensor (8.93) and Elin Tawharu (10.5).

Gisborne veterans John Gisby and Ross Moodie did not surf, but could compete in Round 1 of the senior men’s division today if conditions are good enough.

Day 2 resultsOpen men, quarterfinals — Heat 1: Maz Quinn (Gis) 15.83, 1; Billy Stairmand (Rag) 13.93, 2; Jordan Griffin (Mnt) 10.33, 3; Jonas Tawharu (Mnt) 0.73, 4.

Heat 2: Matt-Lewis Hewitt (Mnt) 12.03, 1; Sean Kettle (Tara) 10.67, 2; Jack Wilson (Chch) 10.05, 3; Manu Scott Arrieta (Sandy Bay) 9, 4.

Heat 3: Daniel Farr (Tara) 13.57, 1; Keone Campbell (Tara) 12.4.3, 2; Luca Brunotti (Dun) 6.83, 3; Cain Aldridge (Tara) 5.9, 4.

Heat 4: JC Susan (Dun) 12.3, 1; Luke Hughes (Rag) 12.23, 2; Alex Dive (Mnt) 11.67, 3; Harrison Whiteside (Chch) 6.8, 4.

Under 16 boys, Round 1 — Heat 1: Tom Robinson (Whngrei) 9.73, 1; Jack McLeod (Dun) 7, 2; Zack van Eekelen (Chch) 4.77, 3.

Heat 2: Kaya Horne (Mnt) 14.33, 1; Tom Butland (Tara) 7, 2; Maddy Barclay (Oam) 4.37, 3; Levi Bonner (Chch) 3.83, 4.

Heat 3: Elliot Brown (Dun) 11.6, 1; Taylor O’Leary (Mur) 9.3, 2; Luke Griffin (Mnt) 7.77, 3; Josef Jungwirth (Gis) 6.63, 4.

Heat 4: Ruben Peyroux (Dun) 12.37, 1; William van der Beek (Mnt) 10.17, 2; Max Brunker (Whngrei) 9.13, 3; Jamie Horsefield (Dun) 4.93, 4.

U14 boys, Round 1 — Heat 1: Neko Tohiariki (Chch) 8.93, 1; Tom Robinson (Whngrei) 7.4.3, 2; Josef Jungwirth (Gis) 5.73, 3; Dara O’Malley (Chch) 2.7, 4.

Heat 2: Myka Black (Chch) 10.83, 1; Ruben Peyroux (Dun) 9.67, 2; Tom Butland (Tara) 0.4.3, 3.

Heat 3: James Ririnui (Mnt) 14, 1; Jai Oakley (Chch) 4.8, 2; Nathan Gebert (Ohope) 2.27, 3.

Heat 4: Taylor O’Leary (Mur) 8.57, 1; Maddy Barclay (Oam) 7.8, 2; James Millar (Dun) 4.83, 3; Ollie Meadows (Waiheke) 4.5, 4.

U18 girls, Round 1 — Heat 1: Tiana-Breeze de Mooij (Mnt) 9.5, 1; Maaia Reid-Bennett (Mnt) 5.57, 2; Fritha Davis (Chch) 4.53, 3; Isabella Wolleston (Chch) 3.47, 4.

Heat 2: Elin Tawharu (Mnt) 10.5, 1; Raiha Ensor (Mnt) 8.93, 2; Abby Falwasser-Logan (Gis) 7.83, 3.

Heat 3: Britt Kindred (Muri) 9.67, 1; Zhana Hutchison (Tara) 9, 2; Georgia Wederell (Mnt) 4.9, 3; Shani Ayson (Dun) 3.7, 4.

Heat 4: Kea Smith (Mnt) 15, 1; Billie Scott (Whangarei) 10.4, 2; Tegan Bishop (Chch) 5, 3; Janee Armstrong (Chch) 4.1, 4.

U16 girls, Round 1 — Heat 1: Kea Smith (Arataki) 8.33, 1; Tiana-Breeze de Mooj (Mnt) 4.1, 2; Tallulah Horsefield (Chch) 2.77, 3.

Heat 2: Elin Tawharu (Mnt) 13.3, 1; Tegan Bishop (Chch) 6.27, 2; Fritha Davis (Chch) 2.9, 3.

Heat 3: Zhana Hutchison (Tara) 10.3, 1; Estalla Hungerford (Dun) 2.67, 2; Georgia Wederell (Mnt) 1.13, 3.