Surfers up - in the city

Champion surfers Sunny Garcia (left) and Andy Irons ready to sign autographs in Queen St yesterday. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Four of the world's best surfers met their delighted New Zealand fans in Queen St, Auckland, yesterday.

Reigning world champion Andy Irons, former champions Mark Occhilupo and Sunny Garcia and last year's runner-up, Joel Parkinson, signed surfboards, surfboard fins, T-shirts and posters for followers who queued for half a block outside the Billabong shop.

The four then headed for Raglan to prepare for today's scheduled free surfing session involving four of New Zealand's top surfers, who they will meet in an international tag team event at Piha tomorrow.