Surfing NZ
Gisborne surfer Bobby Hansen dominated the first day of the Rip Curl Pro presented by Galbraiths held at Many Bay, Raglan today (Friday 15th April) as the field of 72 surfers in the Open Men’s Division was whittled down to just 32.
The day dawned with a clean 1.0m swell with light winds prevailing through until evening. Good swell lines pulsed off and on throughout the day providing ample opportunity for competitors.
While the top seeds in the event were not competing today, Hansen proved again why he is one of the biggest threats in the event posting 16.43 point heat total out of a possible 20.
Hansen finished runner up at the event in 2015 and easily advanced to the main round today. He will now face a trio of junior surfers on day two including Clalum Chuter (Mnt), Jack Wilson (Chch) and Andrew Fraser – Mackenzie (Mnt) in a bid to progress through to the quarterfinals.
The heat of the day saw a crazy four-way battle that featured local surfers Luke Hughes and Daniel Kereopa along with Buck Woods (Gis) and Sean Peggs (Tairua).
Luke Hughes got the best of the exchange posting a winning 13.93 point heat total to continue his good run of form after a second at the National Championships. Hughes was joined by Buck Woods on 13.83 points just ahead of Daniel Kereopa posting 13.33 points who was eliminated from the event along with Sean Peggs.
The remaining surfers that advanced to the Round of 32 comprised a mix of young and old surfers. Featuring for the juniors were Andrew Fraser – Mackenzie (Mnt), Daniel Farr (Tara), Isaac Kettle (Tara), Dylan Preston (WGM) and Josh Farr (Tara). For the old guys advancing, it was Luke Cederman (Rag), Larry Fisher (Auck), Mike Banks (Rag) and Simon Deken (Tara).
Several big match ups have eventuated in the Open Men’s Division including a challenging four man heat for defending champion Maz Quinn (Gis). Quinn will face off against good friend Chris Malone (Rag), day one stand out Luke Hughes (Rag) and Gisborne surfer Johnny Hicks.
The Under 20 Boys Division rounded out the day late in the afternoon with Elliot Paerata – Reid (Piha) exploding in the first heat. He was joined by Jared Gebert (Ohope), Tom Norton (Northland), Travis Morton (Waihi Bch) and Jack Lee (Whaka). The juniors competing today will meet the top seeds in the division on day two.
Action will take place between 8am – 4pm on day two (Saturday) and Sunday, the final day of the event which is set to be televised live by Sky Sport from 10am – 2pm. The swell is expected to remain the same size for day two of the event with a small 1.0m swell and light offshore winds.
The Rip Curl Pro presented by Galbraiths boasts a $10,000 cash prize pool. The event caters to the best surfers in New Zealand in both the Open Men’s and Women’s Divisions as well as the juniors on the rise in the Under 20 Boys Division.
The Rip Curl Pro presented by Galbraiths also includes the all-time Saturday night gathering at the YOT Club thanks to Galbraiths. This year’s entertainment includes People of Paris and Hot Sets.
Please see below for results from day one of the Rip Curl Pro presented by Galbraiths held at Manu Bay, Raglan today (Friday 15th April).
Open Men’s Round of 72
Heat 1
Brodi Sale (HAW), 9.5, 1, William Laidlaw (USA), 8.73, 2, Bachelor Tipene (Tara), 8.6, 3, Nathan Banks (Rag), 6.43, 4
Heat 2
Tyler Anderson (Tara), 14.33, 1, Kora Cooper (RAG), 9.9, 2, Noah Wegrich (USA), 9.27, 3, Daniel Tingey, 7.2, 4
Heat 3
Pat Curren (USA), 12.13, 1, Ben Poulter (Waihi Bch), 10.4, 2, Richard Dowsett (Whangarei), 8.83, 3, Jamie Scott (Whangarei), 7.1, 4
Heat 4
Travis McCoy (Mnt), 9.5, 1, Willem Banks (USA), 9.23, 2, Ilan Fisher (Wgtn), 6.1, 3, Shohei Kawasaki (Rag), 2.97, 4
Open Men’s Round of 64
Heat 1
Nat Hughes (Rag), 13.83, 1, Brodi Sale (HAW), 11.9, 2, Deane Hishon (Rag), 10.8, 3, Sam Mathers (Rag), 4.27, 4
Heat 2
Bobby Hansen (Gis), 13.27, 1, William Laidlaw (USA), 11.67, 2, Tim Thompson (Auck), 9.2, 3, Geoff Hutchison (Rag), 7.27, 4
Heat 3
Larry Fisher (Rag), 12.17, 1, Sean Peggs (Tairua), 11.5, 2, Tyler Anderson (Tara), 10.63, 3, Christo Gilbert (Hbay), 8.13, 4
Heat 4
Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 13.7, 1, Johnny Hicks (Gis), 13, 2, Marc Moore (Rag), 10.77, 3, Kora Cooper (RAG), 8.93, 4
Heat 5
Isaac Kettle (Tara), 13.23, 1, Pat Curren (USA), 12.973, 2, Jarred Hancox (Tara), 12.97, 3, Matt Mcgregor (Nrthland), 8.07, 4
Heat 6
Luke Cederman (Rag), 11.73, 1, Ben Poulter (Waihi Bch), 9.77, 2, Jeremy Grainger (Tara), 8.73, 3, Ryan Hawker (Piha), N/S
Heat 7
Mike Banks (Rag), 11.43, 1, Travis McCoy (Mnt), 9.87, 2, Levi Stewart (Waihi Bch), 9.47, 3, Mac Christie (Mnt), 9.43, 4
Heat 8
Simon Deken (Tara), 13.77, 1, Willem Banks (USA), 11.3, 2, Phill Willoughby (Rag), 9.5, 3, Mark Parthemore (Tara), 9.17, 4
Open Men’s Round of 48
Heat 1
Nat Hughes (Rag), 12.83, 1, Andrew Fraser – Mackenzie (Mnt)), 9.83, 2, William Van Der Beek (Mnt), 8.53, 3, William Laidlaw (USA), 7.83, 4
Heat 2
Bobby Hansen (Gis), 16.43, 1, Brodi Sale (HAW), 11.37, 2, Jared Gebert (Ohope), 10.73, 3, Paul Moretti (Mimiwhangata), 8.43, 4
Heat 3
Larry Fisher (Rag), 13.33, 1, Johnny Hicks (Gis), 11.6, 2, Rian Boyd (Auck), 10.1, 3, Andrew Archibald (Rag), 3.87, 4
Heat 4
Luke Hughes (Rag), 13.93, 1, Buck Woods (Gis), 13.83, 2, Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 13.33, 3, Sean Peggs (Tairua), 10.6, 4
Heat 5
Daniel Farr (Tara), 13, 1, Isaac Kettle (Tara), 11.47, 2, Ben Poulter (Waihi Bch), 10.97, 3, Jayden Willoughby (Rag), 7.3, 4
Heat 6
Luke Cederman (Rag), 12.67, 1, Coby Perkovich (Tara), 11.87, 2, Pat Curren (USA), 9.93, 3, Harry Macintosh (Rag), 8.57, 4
Heat 7
Mike Banks (Rag), 12.43, 1, Dylan Preston (WGM), 10.47, 2, Lee Ririnui (Mnt), 10.13, 3, Willem Banks (USA), 8.03, 4
Heat 8
Simon Deken (Tara), 13.27, 1, Joshua Farr (Tara), 8.7, 2, Travis McCoy (Mnt), 8.43, 3, Luke Griffin (Mnt), 8, 4
Complete event write ups, results, surfer ratings and images from the event can be viewed at Surfing New Zealand.