Surfing: Grommet overcomes shredders

Whangarei's Tom Robinson surfs his way to the National Under-14 Boys title. Photo / Mark Stevenson

Rising Whangarei grom Tom Robinson has overcome some of the country's best young shredders to secure his first ever National Surfing Championships title.

Fizzing after enjoying a successful week competing in both the Under-14 and Under-16 Boys divisions of the 2016 Billabong National Surfing Championships, Robinson, 12, finished his campaign on a high with a first placing in the Under-14 Boys, while also managing a superb fifth-overall in the Under-16 category.

"My goal was just the final," Robinson, or "T-dog" as he's known in the surfing fraternity, said of his goals leading into the contest.

After heading home victorious in the boys division of the Sticky Johnson Primary School Championships in Gisborne last year, Robinson arrived at last week's National Surfing Championships looking to continue his rampant run through New Zealand's junior ranks.

Blitzing his way through the qualifying rounds of the Under-14 Boys division Robinson made light work of this ambition, and was crowned national champ after holding off stiff competition from Oamaru's Maddy Barclay, Dunedin's Ruben Peyroux, and Muriwai's Taylor O'Leary in a closely fought Under-14 Boys final. Robinson posted a 12.91 point heat total that included a sterling 6.67 point ride on his last wave.

Intent on taking his surfing as far as he can, Robinson said New Zealand's Billy Stairmand, Hawaii's John John Florence, and Australia's Mick Fanning and Julian Wilson are his continual influences on his development in the sport.

Surfing New Zealand's Ben Kennings added not only is Robinson one to watch on the surfing scene, but the young Northlander could also excel in public speaking after making the best speech of theNational's prizegiving.

Meanwhile, Northland's Billie Scott also had a stunning week at the national event.

Scott surfed extremely well to gain entry to the final of the Under-18 Girls where she finished fourth-overall behind Mount Maunganui surfers Elin Tawharu, Kea Smith and Raiha Ensor.

Contesting the Over 45 Men's Division, Whangarei board manufacturer Jamie Scott placed fifth-overall, and could have progressed further if it weren't for missing the final hooter by about two seconds.

Jamie's last wave was a cracker in the excellent conditions, but time ran out on the clock so his last ride couldn't be counted.

Other Northland surfers competing in the national competition included Sandy Bay's Manu Scott-Arrieta and Whangarei's Max Brunker.

Taking out the Open Men's title, his third in a row, Raglan's Stairmand equalled the New Zealand record of five titles.

Stairmand was joined on the podium by Whangamata's Ella Williams who surfed to her first title in the Open Women's division.