With another warm day, plenty of sunshine and a pulsing swell bringing 2-3 foot waves to Tauranga Bay, Westport the top surfers wasted no time in stamping their authority in the lineup.
Billy warming up at dawn at Tauranga Bay, Westport. Photo: Derek Morrison
The day started with an impressive display from sisters Anna and Sophia Brock, who went 1-2 in the opening heat. The day just rolled from there with Billy Stairmand treating those in the bay to a masterclass in heat execution.
Other standouts include Reuben Woods who surfed multiple heats with incredible flow and power and looks set to be the man on a tear at Westport. He joins Jai Earnshaw and Levi Stewart as three of the older surfers determined to hold the young guard of Caleb Cutmore, Jay Piper-Healion and many others at bay.
Here’s 40 Frames to capture the day:
Leia Millar putting the time in before the first heat.Caleb Cutmore is on form in 2022.Down the beach free surf.Anna Brock, clinical.The Mouldey clan.Al TeMoananui with a good luck kiss from Lucy.The Hareb family.Soren Bucka-Christensen in the zone.Luke Murphy finding a winner.Local characters.Shaper Simon Jones with his daughter.Josh Thickpenny dominant in this heat.Local legend Steve Lee.Stu Millar off the top.during Day 2 at the 2022 New Zealand Surfing Championships held at Tauranga Bay, Westport, New Zealand.Three wise men.Steve Lee making heats.Felipe Santos into the Over 30 men’s final.Reuben Woods slaying it.Local Jai Earnshaw on form.The judges’ coop.Soren Bucka-Christensen off the top.Unlucky break for Soren Bucka-Christensen in his Open Men’s heat.Jack Wilson finding a runner.Magoo having a laugh with the judges.Simon Jones in the thick of it.Billy, Karne and Soren.Karne Gabbott gets running repairs. Caleb Cutmore, masterful.Gavin Bisman searching for a signal.Jack McKenzie into the next round. Billy, pre heat.Stu Millar and his fan club.Anna Brock back out there.Sophia Brock through to the semis.Jai and coach Youngie.Leia Millar on form in 2022.Umbrella country.Leia and Portia Millar.Ava Henderson on the charge.Wazza on the job. Jack McKenzie shredding.Levi Stewart down the beach.Fan squad.Lyndon Fairbairn and coach Josh.Jay Piper-Healion was a Day 2 standout.Mischa Peyroux.Groms on the rocks.A nervous heat for the Brock family.Taya Morrison with Ava.Shaper Simon Jones.