Surfing NZ
Gisborne surfer Maz Quinn continues to wind back the clock, this time claiming yet another victory by winning the Rip Curl Pro presented by Galbraiths held at Manu Bay Raglan today (Sunday 17th April).
The final day of New Zealand’s richest surfing event was played out in small waves of less than 1.0m and offshore winds at Manu Bay, the ocean providing just enough swell for the event to be completed.
Quinn came up trumps in the final posting a 13.77 point total, the same as double-finalist Elliot Paerata – Reid (Piha). However, Quinn, by way of his highest scoring ride of a 6.93, took the win over Paerata – Reid.
The win extends Quinn’s considerable lead on the New Zealand Pro Series after placing third at the National Championships and second at the South Island Championships so far this year.
“They were not the ideal conditions for me today with waves being that small” said Quinn. “I was disheartened at the forecast but it goes to show that if you keep at your game, you can win anything” he added.
“It was Billy’s to win but any time you get to beat Billy on the Point is good, he was ripping hard all weekend but I got two mediocre scores and held on with the countback which is as close as it gets. I thought Elliot’s last one was going to be better or get him the win but yeah, I am happy to take it away.”
Double finalist Paerata – Reid had to settle for second in the final, a career best result in the Open Men’s Division. However, the young Piha surfer was clearly dejected with coming so close to claiming a double, a feat not achieved at the event since 2009 by fellow finalist Billy Stairmand (Rag).
Quinn thought the conditions had gifted Stairmand the win today but the ocean did not play its part for the local surfer. Stairmand got stuck with the highest scoring wave of the final and only a small back up ride to finish with a 12.83 point heat total and third place overall.
Placing fourth in the final was another Raglan surfer in Chris Malone who finished on 11.33 points.
What was set to be a battle between New Zealand’s top two female surfers Paige Hareb (Tara) and Ella Williams (WGM) failed to eventuate when Williams jumped out to a big lead in the final and held on for the win with a 16.30 point heat total.
The ocean again played a cruel part in the final with Hareb seemingly out of sync with the best waves on offer, Hareb finishing in fourth place.
“I am really really happy, it is cool because I won the event last year and this year the girls are surfing so much better so it was no easy feat, I am happy to take the win again” said Williams.
“It was all about being on the best waves when the sets came through and allowing yourself the chance on getting big scores. At the start there were a bunch of waves which I got and then nothing came through at the end so I am lucky” she added happy to avoid a close tussle up with Hareb but heaping praise on the Taranaki surfer. “Paige is such an amazing surfer, I have looked up to her all of my life so it was great to have her back here competing and I hope she goes on to requalify for the world tour this year.”
Finishing runner up in the final was Raiha Ensor (Mnt) who, like Williams, found the best of the waves that came through. Ensor, the only natural foot surfer in the final, finished with a 13.2 point heat total to outpoint her friend Elin Tawharu (Mnt) who finished in third on 10.87 points and Hareb in fourth on 10.7 points.
Despite the agonising runner up finish in the Open Men’s Division, Paerata – Reid claimed a victory in the Under 20 Boys Division posting 14.93 points in the final to win the only domestic junior event he has contested this year.
“I think it was all about the quick start out there, if you get a good wave at the start like I did, you could control the heat, confidently sit out the back and wait for the best waves and that is what played out” said Paerata – Reid of his strategy.
“I have been overseas for the first part of the year competing on the WQS and I am off to Bali for a QS1000 soon and then Japan for a QS6000 so I hope my good form here can carry forward to good results at those international events too” said Paerata – Reid of his upcoming schedule.
Paerata – Reid defeated Dune Kennings (WGM) in final, Kennings finishing runner up ahead of Taylor Hutchison (Rag) in third and Jonas Tawharu (Mnt) in fourth place.
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.
Please see below for final results from day three of the Rip Curl Pro presented by Galbraiths completed at Manu Bay, Raglan today (Sunday 17th April).
Open Men’s Division Quarterfinals
Heat 1
Bobby Hansen (Gis), 14.07, 1, Chris Malone (Gis), 12.97, 2, Larry Fisher (Rag), 7.1, 3, Nat Hughes (Rag), 4.7, 4
Heat 2
Buck Woods (Gis), 13.73, 1, Maz Quinn (Gis), 12.8, 2, Callum Chuter (Mnt), 10.43, 3, Harrison Whiteside (ChCh), 9.7, 4
Heat 3
Dune Kennings (Whmata), 16.07, 1, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 13.87, 2, Luke Cederman (Rag), 13.53, 3, Matt-Lewis Hewitt (Mnt), 13.23, 4
Heat 4
Billy Stairmand (Rag), 17.37, 1, Coby Perkovich (Tara), 13.63, 2, Taylor Hutchison (Rag), 11.43, 3, Manu Scott Arrieta (Sandy Bay), 10, 4
Open Men’s Division Semifinals
Heat 1
Chris Malone (Gis), 13.77, 1, Maz Quinn (Gis), 13.7, 2, Buck Woods (Gis), 12.5, 3, Bobby Hansen (Gis), 6.83, 4
Heat 2
Billy Stairmand (Rag), 16.4, 1, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 12.03, 2, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 11.6, 3, Coby Perkovich (Tara), 11.6, 4
Open Men’s Division Finals
Maz Quinn (Gis), 13.77, 1, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 13.77, 2, Billy Stairmand (Rag) , 12.83, 3, Chris Malone (Gis), 11.33, 4
Open Women’s Division Finals
Ella Williams (Whmata), 16.3, 1, Raiha Ensor (Mnt), 13.2, 2, Elin Tawahru (Mnt), 10.9, 3, Paige Hareb (Tara), 10.7, 4
Under 20 Boys Division Quarterfinals (heats 3 and 4 only)
Heat 3
Lee Ririnui (Mnt), 15.93, 1, Manu Scott Arrieta (Sandy Bay), 15.77, 2, Harrison Whiteside (ChCh), 10.73, 3, Harry Macintosh (Rag), 9.27, 4
Heat 4
Jonas Tawharu (Mnt), 15.97, 1, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 15.13, 2, Jared Gebert (Ohope), 11.2, 3, Matt Mcgregor (Nrthland), N/S
Under 20 Boys Division Semifinals
Heat 1
Taylor Hutchison (Rag), 13.77, 1, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 13.63, 2, Zac Curle (Waihi Bch), 11.93, 3, Callum Chuter (Tau), 11.8, 4
Heat 2
Jonas Tawharu (Mnt), 15.1, 1, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 11.97, 2, Manu Scott Arrieta (Sandy Bay), 7.4, 3, Lee Ririnui (Mnt), 5.27, 4
Under 20 Boys Division Final
Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 14.93, 1, Dune Kennings (Whmata), 13.87, 2, Taylor Hutchison (Rag), 12.43, 3, Jonas Tawharu (Mnt), 9.8, 4
Complete event write ups, results, surfer ratings and images from the event can be viewed at Surfing New Zealand.