defending champion Daniel Kereopa shock elimination
In a shock elimination in the longboard quarterfinals, defending champion Daniel Kereopa (Rag) was eliminated from the event incurring an interference call to finish third in his heat. Kereopa was only contesting this one division at the event and his elimination clearly dented his confidence. His elimination has opened up the division to a number of contenders as well as tightening up the ratings race on the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour. Australian based surfer Trent Dickey top scored in the round with 14.0 points to win his heat alongside other heat winners Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck), Sam Guthrie (Mnt) and Dylan Barnfield (Ohope).
Daniel Kereopa celebrating last years
win: photo Surfing New
Zealand
 Fitzy courtesy Slide Magazine
|
 Kelly Ryan pic courtesy Slide Magazine
|
 Thomas Kibblewhite pic courtesy Slide Magazine |
 Trent Dickey pic courtesy Slide Magazine |
Open Longboard Quarterfinals
Heat 1
Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck), 1, Michael
Fitzharris (Gis), 2, Kirk Beyer, (Wgtn), 3, Emanuele Lai (Auck), 4
Heat 2 Trent Dickey (Auck), 1, Kelly Ryan (Gis), 2, Daniel Kereopa (Rag), 3, Leon Santorik (Rag), 4
Heat 3 Sam Guthrie (Mnt), 1, Duncan Cameron, (Mnt), 2, Daniel Proctor (Gis), 3,, Jay Reeve (Mnt), 4
Heat 4
Dylan Barnfield (Ohope), 1, Jay Quinn (Gis),
2, Ant McColl, (Mnt), 3, Aidan Comrie, (Waihi Bch), 4
Open Longboard Semifinals (Yet to be surfed)
Heat 1
Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck), Michael Fitzharris (Gis), Trent Dickey (Auck),
Kelly Ryan (Gis)
Heat 2
Sam Guthrie (Mnt),
Duncan Cameron, (Mnt), Dylan Barnfield (Ohope), Jay Quinn (Gis)