The return of the Sandy Bay Longboard Classic took place over Waitangi Weekend with Ohope’s Dylan Barnfield winning the Men’s Division and Mischa Davis winning the Women’s Division.
The event was brought back to life by local North Coast Boardriders Club in conjunction with Orewa Longboard Club. As well as the premier divisions, junior male and females participated as well as Over 55s and Over 65s. The fun Repcruise Division had everyone cracking up and the Old Mal brought out some of the best nose riding of the weekend.
The Sandy Bay Classic came hot on the heels of the Nationals with newly crowned champion Daniel Procter (Gis) hunting out the second win of the season. Procter made the final but could not match Barnfield in the small waves after he posted a 15.43 point heat total for the win.
Oliver Le Noel was the only Men’s finalist to truly rival Barnfield with a 13.44 point heat total while Gisborne’s Daryn McBride finished up with a third to go with his runner up finish in the Old Mal Division which was won by Tom Mason.
Mischa Davis (Whngrei) went head-to-head with National Champion Gabi Paul (Piha) outscoring her 12.9 vs 12.1 for the win. Davis, a two-time longboard champion and also 2013 Open Women’s Champion competed for the first time in several years at the event and her performance levels had not wavered an inch as she overcame the younger Paul. Nicky Probst (Auck) finished in third place with Tanya Kerr (Auck) in fourth.
Mangawahi’s Billy Whealen was the stand-out in the Under 18’s Longboard winning alongside Jay Ryan – Emerre (Gis) in the girls division.
The seniors divisions were claimed by Mark Hoyle (Orewa) in the Over 55s and Paul Browne (Orewa) in the Over 65s.
The Sandy Bay Classic marks the second event of the New Zealand Longboard Series. Upcoming events include:
6-7 March, Women’s Canterbury Champs, Christchurch – Tier 2
12-14 March, Ray White Duke Festival of Surfing. Christchurch – Tier 1
2-4 April, Emerson’s South Island Champs, Dunedin – Tier 2
3-4 April, Gisborne Longboard Classic – Gathering of Stoke – Tier 2
24-25 April, Exit Surf Men’s Canterbury Champs, Christchurch – Tier 2
For more images from the event, please visit www.photosnz.co.nz.
