There was some heavy scoring as the longboard divisions made their first appearance at the national surfing championships at Piha yesterday.
The chance to surf good overhead waves at the south end of Piha Beach was welcomed by the longboarders, with lanky Wellington surfer Kirk Beyer particularly athome.
After failing to make it out of his first heat in the opening event of the pro longboard tour at Mt Maunganui, Beyer returned to form, dominating his heat, scoring 15.5 out of a possible 20.
He was beaming after qualifying for the quarterfinals.
"The waves have power here at Piha," he said. "I have only surfed Piha once and that was at the last National Champs here in 2004 but I am liking the place already."
Two surfers who hold 14 of the 22 national longboard titles between them also showed some excellent form that bettered their younger competitors.
Lynden Kennings of Whangamata and Michael Fitzharris of Gisborne, both in their 40s, showed that was no barrier to their performance as they surfed to scores of 15.75 and 14.75, respectively.
Daniel Kereopa of Raglan posted the highest heat score of the day, 16.75.
Others to make the quarterfinals included Sam Guthrie of Mt Maunganui, Matt Gillespie of Auckland and Daniel Proctor of Gisborne.
