Hawaiian surfing legends in Aotearoa to

26 March
Immediate Release
 
Hawaiian surfing legends in Aotearoa to witness Tour Finale

Three revered Hawaiian surfers including internationally renowned Buzzy Kerbox, have made their way to New Zealand this week to be part of the final event of the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour at Port Waikato, starting this Friday 27th March.

Traveling with Kerbox is Titus Kinimaka -who has traveled the world as a surf ambassador for over 20 years, Ekolu Kalama – known as the first ever professional stand-up paddler and New Zealand born Campbell Farrell – the first Kiwi to ever surf the infamous Jaws break in Hawaii.

The Hawaiian surfers will be taking part in what they call an ‘expression session’ at the Hyundai event this weekend, demonstrating stand-up paddling.

On Monday the Hawaiians were officially welcomed to Raglan by the local Iwi with a Powhiri.  The Hawaiians were blown away by the cultural exchange and the time given to their presence at Raglan by the locals.  Since then they have experienced three beautiful days of perfect surf on the points of Raglan.

Their attention will turn to the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour on Friday with New Zealand’s best battling it out for the five titles on offer.

The Port Waikato title showdown hangs in the balance between the three front runners on the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour ratings – Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck), Daniel Procter (Gis) and Michael Burling (Gis). 

The coveted Open Men’s Division title is likely to come down to the final heat of the sixth and final event of the tour.  While Thomas Kibblewhite will go into the event as the number one seed, it is second and third placed Procter and Burling that are in a more favourable position to win the tour.

Each surfers best five results count toward their year ratings.  Procter and Burling are yet to contest their fifth event of the year while Kibblewhite has attended all events on the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour to date hence his number one ranking and highest points tally.

For Kibblewhite to win, he will have to withhold Procter and Burling to third or worse in the final or eliminate them prior to the finals to be safe. 

Procter is the only surfer with his destiny in his own hands  By placing first or second he will clinch the title.

Burling requires a win with Procter to finish no higher than third and Kibblewhite to finish no higher than second to take the title.

The pressure on the top three surfers will also be compounded by a raft of others trying to have an impact on the outcome and ultimately win the event.  Surfers like the winner of event one – Dylan Barnfield (Ohope) and Auckland’s Phil Morris could easily upset the front runners.  Junior surfers Sam Guthrie (Mnt) and Leroy Rust (Dun) have also flashes of brilliance that could see them reach the final for the first time this year.

The Open Women’s Division title will come down to four surfers with defending champion Daisy Thomas (Chch) sitting in fourth requiring a win and current number one Jo Moore (Tara) requiring a second or better to win the tour.

Local Port Waikato surfer Shereen Lobb sits in second place and can also win the tour by clinching her first event win of the year although other results would have to go her way.  Auckland’s Shelley Jones who currently sits in third place can also take the tour title with a good result at the final Port Waikato event.

Defending Junior Men’s Champion Sam Guthrie (Mnt) has the title all but sealed.  It would take a small miracle for Dunedin surfer Leroy Rust take the title – only possible with a win from Rust and first round exit by Guthrie.

Lynden Kennings (WGM) is the sole surfer that has stitched up his division prior to the final event.  Kennings has gone undefeated in the three events he has contested in 2009.  Mount Maunganui surfer Mal Brady currently sits in second place with Piha’s David Storck in third.

Storck on the other hand leads the Over 50 Men’s Division and will enter the final event of the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour in a four way battle for the title.  Other contenders include Barry Watkins (Te Puke), Paul Browne (Orewa) and Grant Cochrane (Chch).    

The event takes place from 8am – 4pm on Friday and Saturday with live streaming via http://www.surf.co.nz/hyundai/index.asp.

ENDS

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