| Photo courtesy Pulsate ............................... Jay Quinn
2001 5A PULSATE SURFING NZ RAGLAN PRO
The biggest event on the 2001 Surfing New Zealand Calendar got off to a
great start at Raglanīs Manu Bay. The morning brought some heavy rain and a
small swell meant competitors in the early rounds had top work hard for
their points. The Open mens surfed through the first and second qualifying
rounds until organizers decided that the Juniors would be better suited to
the small conditions. As the Junior rounds battled it out the weather began
to clear and the swell started to pick up.
By the end of the day Manu Bay was reeling at 3 foot with the quarter finals
of the Juniors relishing the chance to surf fun Manu Bay with only three
other surfers out in each heat. Local surfer Luke Cederman stood out in his
Quarter combining huge vertical re entries with lightning fast snaps and
well timed tricks on the inside. The standout heat of the day though was the
Quarter final clash between Jay Quinn (Gis) and Leon Santorik (Rag). The two
Juniors fought it out over 20 minutes with the lead changing several times.
Leon scored the highest wave score of the day a brilliantly surfed nine
point ride. But in the end Quinn, who has recently from competing in
Australia, came away with the win taking it out with a total heat score of
21.5 (out of a possible 30). Quinn said after the heat "The waves were
really fun and I was just happy to post three solid scorers.
The 5A Pulsate Surfing NZ Raglan Pro carries the most prize money and points
of any Contest on the Surfing NZ Pro Series and all the big names have come
out of the woodwork, keen for a shot at the title, the points and of course
the money. $15,000 in total will be given away and with 64 competitors in
the Open, 30 in the Juniors and 16 in the womens no one will have an easy
run to the finals.
In the Open local Raglan surfer Daniel Kereopa, last years Pro Series
Circuit Champion Damon Gunness (Gis). Also one to watch out for in solid
surf is 2001 national champ Mark Dovey (Mnt). Of course at pumping Raglan
anything could happen and with a draw that includes almost all of NZīs top
competitive surfers there could always be an upset.Unfortunately top NZ WQS
surfer Chris Malone (Gis) injured himself seriosly free surfing at the
Raglan beach break. Malone pulled into a hollow barrel and hit the sand
coming up dazed and confused. He was taken to hospital where he will remain
for several days.
In the Womens Holly Quinn (Gis) will be looking to cement her strangle hold
on the Circuit ratings with a third win in a row. Lisa Hurunui (Gis) will be
looking to find some form after two mediocre results in the last two pro
series events.
Competition kicks off at Manu Bay tommorow morning at 8:00 am. The comp will
run over Saturday and Sunday with press releases sent out at the completion
of each days surfing.
Leigh Hawker on 025 417 604 / Contests - Surfersvillage
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