The coveted Hyundai National Surfing Championships will return to Piha Beach in Auckland in early 2013, playing host to the best surfers from throughout New Zealand.

More than 300 entries are expected for the event which will take place from January 13 – 19.

The 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships also took place at Piha Beach. Photo supplied.

Hyundai New Zealand general manager Andy Sinclair says Piha offers up every surf condition possible with wave height ranging from 0.5metres to two metres, even during settled summer months.

The conditions mean surfers must be able to cope with any kind of surf thrown at them if they hope to win the most prestigious cup in New Zealand surfing.
'We are proud to be involved with the Hyundai National Championships for the ninth year running,” says Andy.

'We are looking forward to a hot summer, some good waves and watching some first class surfing. This will be a great family event so pack up the kids, dig out the jandals and come and check out the action for yourselves.”
Surfing New Zealand CEO Greg Townsend says 'We are heartened to have Hyundai on board again. They have been a fantastic partner and supporter for the past eight years and we will be working closely with them throughout this summer to deliver great events and opportunities for the surfers of New Zealand”.

'This partnership is crucial for the on-going development of Surfing New Zealand and New Zealand surfing.”
The 2012 Championships was won by Raglan surfer Billy Stairmand, who is rapt the event is again taking place at Piha.

'Piha is similar to Raglan, there is always that little left in the corner and the beach is the same too, just a rugged West Coast beachie.”
The event is the first event of the New Zealand Pro Series and second of five on the 2013 Hyundai Tour.
It will be the tenth time the event has been held at Piha. The Hyundai National Surfing Championships is the most prestigious domestic surfing event in New Zealand.

Set out below are the winners of key divisions for the past five years:

Open Men
2008 - Jay Quinn (Gis)
2009 - Matt Hewitt (Mnt)
2010 - Billy Stairmand (Rag)
2011 - Jay Quinn (Gis)
2012 - Billy Stairmand (Rag)

Open Women
2008 - Angie Koops (Kaik)
2009 - Daisy Thomas (Chch)
2010 - Laura Rishworth (Mnt)
2011 - Airini Mason (Chch)
2012 - Thandi Durham (Tara)

Junior Men (U/18)
2008 - Sean Peggs (Tairua)
2009 - Ryan Hawker (Piha)
2010 - Johnny Hicks (Gis)
2011 - Ben Poulter (Rag)
2012 - Tane Wallis (Auck)

Longboard
2008 - Jay Quinn (Gis)
2009 - Daniel Proctor (Gis)
2010 - Dylan Barnfield (Ohope)
2011 - Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck)
2012 - Thomas Kibblewhite (Auck)

Complete lists of all National Champions are located on the Surfing New Zealand website.