Hovell challenged hard for the SUP title but Houghton had too much speed and precision for his rivals.
Auckland’s Thomas Kibblewhite (Red Beach) retained his men’s longboard title.
He had not competed since his 2017 win at this 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 to win.
It is the third time Kibblewhite has won the event in the past five years.
The surf was clean for much of the day with variable winds and a strong one-metre to 1.5-metre swell in front of Papamoa Domain before the sea breeze increased late in the afternoon.
In the men’s longboard, Kibblewhite defeated Ohope’s Dylan Barnfield in the final for a second time in as many heats.
Barnfield, too, had been absent from competition for several years but his class was evident all day, particularly in the semifinals where he and Kibblewhite — along with local Owen Barnes — surfed a high-scoring heat that included several lead changes.
Third place in the final went to national champion and New Zealand representative Zen Wallis (Piha). Whakatane’s Joe Stewart was fourth.
Stand-up paddleboard runner-up Poulter won the women’s longboard in a tough four-way battle in the final. She sealed victory on her last wave, surfing to a 9.03-point heat score.
New Zealand representative Gabi Paul (Piha) was second, Kiri Binnersley (Mt Maunganui) was third and Sunny Yoshida (Raglan) was fourth.
The over-40s and over-50s longboard divisions were won by defending champions Owen Barnes (Mnt) and Mark Hoyle (Orewa) respectively.
Results of heats in which Gisborne surfers took part, and finals
Men’s longboard, final: Thomas Kibblewhite (Auckland) 15.33, 1; Dylan Barnfield (Ohope) 12.67, 2; Zen Wallis (Piha) 11.03, 3; Joe Stewart (Ohope) 9.4, 4.
Women’s longboard, semifinals, Heat 1: Gabi Paul (Piha) 11.90, 1; Kiri Binnersley (Mt Maunganui) 8.17, 2; Hannah Morley (Gisborne) 6.70, 3.
Final: Alexis Poulter (Raglan) 9.03, 1; Gabi Paul (Piha) 4.96, 2; Kiri Binnersley (Mnt) 4.7, 3; Sunny Yoshida (Rag) 3.24, 4.
Over-40s longboard, final: Owen Barnes (Mnt) 14.5, 1; Wyn Hoogerbrugger (Auck) 11.9, 2; Matt Hands (Mnt) 6.1, 3; Mal Brady (Mnt) 6, 4.
Over-50s longboard, final: Mark Hoyle (Orewa) 12.6, 1; Brian Young (Orewa) 9.27, 2; Mike Thomson (Rag) 7.17, 3; Brian Moore (Tauranga) 4.3, 4.
Men’s stand-up paddleboard, semifinals, Heat 1: Sean Hovell (Gis) 13.8, 1; Karl Aarsen (Whangamata) 12.1, 2; Shane Timms (Mnt) 6.43, 3.
Heat 2: Ollie Houghton (Auck) 14.8, 1; Mark Jones (Taur) 7.33, 2; Gavin Houghton (Auck) 6.03, 3; Gary Smith (Gis) 3.89, 4.
Final: Ollie Houghton (Auck) 12.5, 1; Sean Hovell (Gis) 11.2, 2; Karl Aarsen (Whangamata) 8.76, 3; Mark Jones (Taur) 7.6, 4.
Women’s stand-up paddleboard, final: Stella Smith (Gis) 12.4, 1; Alexis Poulter (Waihi Beach) 9.2, 2; Lucy Te Moananui (Kaikoura) 8.46, 3; Eva Petrikova (Mnt) 2.63, 4.
Logger expression session: Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck) 1; Dylan Barnfield (Ohope) 2; Zen Wallis (Piha) 3; Bryn Marshall (Mnt) 4.
King of the Waves: Ollie Houghton (Auck) 20:12, 1; Sean Hovell (Gis) 20:34, 2; Jeremy Stephenson (Auck) 23:04, 3; Gavin Houghton (Auck) 25:24, 4.
