Ella's second national title

Ella's winning form. Photo: Cory NZ Surfing Magazine

Whangamata surfer Ella Williams successfully defended her Open Women's title at the National Surfing Championships at Piha on Saturday

She's the first woman to defend her title in 16 years, and is preparing to head off to Australia this week to begin her international campaign on the World Qualifying Series.

Ella had a big battle in the final after Albany's Gabriella Sansom surfed to a final-high single wave score of 7.83. The wave put Williams on the backfoot before she secured a pair of six point rides then went on to secure a 7.17 and then a 7.77 on her last wave to extend her lead and take a second national title in the division.

'I am so happy to defend the title this year, we have had some hard conditions throughout the week but the waves were good today and I enjoyed being pushed by all the Kiwi girls who continue to improve year after year” says Ella.

From Left, Ella, Gabrialla and Bianca Sansom and Britt Kindred. Photo: Supplied

Gabriella Sansom finished the final in second place ahead of her twin sister Bianca in third and Britt Kindred from Muriwai in fourth.

Meanwhile Mount Maunganui's Jonas Tawharu claimed the title in the Under 18 Boys Division with some powerful surfing in the big conditions.

Performances in the junior divisions were dominated by the double title going to Gisborne's Saffi Vette winning the Under 18 and Under 16 Girls Divisions. Vette almost had the opportunity to attempt the triple but fell short in the semifinals of the Open Women's Division.

Caleb Cutmore from Raglan claimed the Under 16 Boys Division title, another of the strong goofy foot surfers that relished the chance to surf Piha Bar. Cutmore posted a 15.73 point heat total to easily win the final.

Gisborne claimed their third title of the event in the Women's SUP Division when Stella Smith secured a come-from-behind win. The girls battled some serious surf in their final with Lucy Te Moananui leading for much of the final. Smith finally found a wave that she could complete three good turns on and it was enough to flip the final.

The 2017 National Championships took place from Sunday 8th – Saturday 14th January at Piha Beach west of Auckland.

Over 250 entries were received for the event which encompassed 22 divisions and age groups.

Raglan's Billy Stairmand smashed a thirty year old record by securing his sixth title in the Open Men's Division of the 2017 National Surfing Championships presented by Health 2000 and becoming the most winningest surfer in New Zealand history.

The final day of the event was held in big 2.0m swell at Piha Beach with light winds offering the best conditions the event experienced all week.

2017 National Surfing Championships presented by Health 2000 completed at Piha Beach, Auckland January 14.

Open Men's Division Semifinals

Heat 1

Taylor Hutchison (Rag), 9.47, 1, Elliott Brown (Dun), 7.54, 2, Jonas Tawharu (Mnt), 7.47, 3, Matt-Lewis Hewitt (Mnt), 6.17, 4

Heat 2

Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 13.10, 1, Billy Stairmand (Rag) , 12.33, 2, Sean Peggs (Tairua), 11.67, 3, Manu Scott Arrieta (Sandy Bay), 2.37, 4

Open Men's Division Final

Billy Stairmand (Rag), 14.63, 1, Taylor Hutchison (Rag), 11.83, 2, Elliott Brown (Dun), 8.17, 3, Elliot Paerata Reid (Piha), 8.17, 4

Open Women's Division Semifinals

Heat 1

Ella Williams (Whmata), 7.73, 1, Bianca Sansom (Auck), 6.17, 2, Elin Tawahru (Mnt), 4.13, 3, Claudia Fraser (Piha), 4.03, 4

Heat 2

Gabriella Sansom (Auck), 12, 1, Britt Kindred (Mur), 6.5, 2, Saffi Vette (Gis), 6, 3, Estella Hungerfrd (Chch), 2.93, 4

Open Women's Division Final

Ella Williams (Whmata), 14.9, 1, Gabriella Sansom (Auck), 11.3, 2, Bianca Sansom (Auck), 7.83, 3, Britt Kindred (Mur), 7.53, 4

Under 18 Boys Division Final

Jonas Tawharu (Mnt), 14.1, 1, Elliott Brown (Dun), 12.07, 2, Jared Gebert (Ohope), 11.47, 3, Kaya Horne (Mnt), 7.43, 4

Under 16 Boys Division Final

Caleb Cutmore (Ham), 15.73, 1, Dylan Preston (Whmata), 10.40, 2, William Van der Beek (Mnt), 9.43, 3, Josef Jungwirth (Rag), 8.17, 4

Under 18 Girls Division Final

Saffi Vette (Gis), 14.17, 1, Elin Tawharu (Mnt), 13.07, 2, Tiana - Breeze de Mooij (Mnt), 9.67, 3, Gabrielle Paul (Auck), 4.80, 4

Under 16 Girls Division Final

Saffi Vette (Gis), 8.67, 1, Gabrielle Paul (Auck), 7.97, 2, Tegen Bishop (Chch), 5.73, 3, Estella Hungerford (Chch), 1.53, 4

Over 28's Division Final

Chris Malone (Rag), 14, 1, Jarred Hancox (Tara), 11.7, 2, Jeremy Grainger (Tara), 10.2, 3, Al Te Moananui (Kai), 9.07, 4

Over 35's Division Final

Chris Malone (Rag), 16.67, 1, Jarred Hancox (Tara), 11.27, 2, Chris Fougere (Piha), 8.03, 3, Marc Moore (Auck), 5.33, 4

Over 40's Division Final

Marc Moore (Auck), 13.5, 1, Mike Mulcahy (Piha), 7.53, 2, Deane Hishon (Rag) , 6.27, 3, Ben Kennings (WGM), 5.57, 4

Over 45 Men's Division Final

Phill Willoughby (Rag), 9.87, 1, Phil Wallis (Piha), 7.7, 2, Tui Eves (Auck), 4.7, 3, Deane Hishon (Rag), 0.6, 4

Over 50's Division final

David Mann (Auck), 10.9, 1, Derek Brunker (Whangarei), 9.37, 2, Phil Wallis (Piha), 8.23, 3, Paul Halford (Mnt), 3.23, 4

Women's SUP Final

Stella Smith (Gis), 9.3, 1, Lucy Te Moananui (Kaik), 6.33, 2, Penelope Strickland (Auck), 3.83, 3, Renee Davenport (Rag), 2.73, 4

You may also like....

1 comment

Go girll

Posted on 16-01-2017 04:56 | By Kenworthlogger

Well done.


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.