For immediate release
24/04/2023
From: Surfing New Zealand
Sport: Surfing
Event: 2023 Exit Surf Men’s Canterbury Championships
Series: NZ Surf Series, NZ Grom Series and NZ Longboard Series
Location: New Brighton Beach, Christchurch
Event Information: Surfing New Zealand
Title defenses and maiden wins make for action packed weekend
Raglan surfer Caleb Cutmore has claimed his first win for the season and defended his 2022 title at the Exit Surf Mens Canterbury Champs over the weekend.
Held in 1 to 1.5m waves at New Brighton Beach Christchurch, surfers from around the country travelled to the event for a chance at Canterbury champs glory and points towards their NZ Surf Series, NZ Grom Series and SISA Series rankings. With divisions ranging from Under 14s to Open, Longboard and seniors it was an action-packed weekend for South Island surfing.
On day one of the event, we saw the Under 14, Under 16s and longboards hitting the water with a massive day of competition and early rounds completed in idyllic Christchurch conditions. The Open Men’s Longboard turned out to be an edge of your seat thriller with the heat leader changing constantly as the men exchanged wave for wave. That was until Christchurch surfer Charlie Wise dropped an excellent score moving into the lead. Jack Tyro answered back with 6’s and 7’s but it was not enough with Charlie claiming his maiden title and first ever win over friend and fellow competitor Jack Tyro who has been holding down the longboard leader board the past years.
The final day of the event was held in cold Canterbury conditions with early morning fog and icy water temperatures playing havoc with the surfers, light onshore winds and a small swell prevailed for the remainder of the finals.
Cutmore claimed the win after standout performances throughout the event. With Calebs first wave dropping at a 6.33, Building momentum and with a few low scoring waves he eventually found a gem dropping a 7.17 and securing the lead, from there it was Cutmores to lose with Jared Hancox (Tara), Spencer Rowson (Tara) and Jake Owens (Dun) all within 8 points of the title. With the clock winding down and no waves of scoring potential in sight, it was not to be and Cutmore walked away with his second Exit Surf Mens Canterbury Champs title.
Jared Hancox (Tara) who, himself, was in line for the win was agonisingly close however finished in second posting a 12.17-point heat total compared with Cutmores 13.50 points, Spencer Rowson hot off his win in Kaikoura finished in third on 11.30 points ahead of Jake Owen in fourth.
Titles in the senior divisions went to local lad Mike Oakley in the Over 45 men’s, Jarrod Hancox managing redemption in the Over 30s taking down last years winner and local legend Ryan Hawker.
Participants in the junior divisions thoroughly enjoyed the fun conditions throughout the weekend and made the most of the final day. Alexis Owens (Dun) managed to take down the big names surfing up a division in the Under 18s, while also taking down his own division the Under 16s. Sonny Lions (Kai) surfing excellently the whole division managed to take down the field of Under 14 boys.
The Exit Surf Canterbury Men’s Championships is the fifth of six events on the 2023 New Zealand Surf Series for the men with all eyes on the final event of the year, the Backdoor King and Queen of the Point Presented by Quiksilver on the 17th and 18th of June in Raglan.
Results can be viewed here on Live Heats.
Current rankings for the NZ Surf Series and NZ Grom Series can be viewed here on the Surfing New Zealand website.
The Exit Surf Men’s Canterbury Championships boasts a $7,500 prize pool across all divisions.
The event took place from 8am – 4pm daily and was based out of the North Wai Boardriders clubrooms.
Further Information
For further information on the 2023 Exit Surf Men’s Canterbury Championships, please contact Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.
Imagery
High resolution action images of the surfing at the event is available to media free of charge.
The event is hosted by North Wai Boardriders and proudly sponsored by Exit Surf
Surfing New Zealand is proudly partnered by:
Sport New Zealand
Water Safety NZ
Skinnies
Volkswagen
