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Posted on Tuesday November 29th 2011 at 12:45 p.m.
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Featuring many of the 'names' of NZ Surfing of the 70's. Alan Byrne a former National Champion was fresh out of the Air Force as a Navigator and returned to the Nationals Surfing Champs at Piha in 1976 prior to going on to Hawaii (as the prize for winning that year was a trip to Hawaii and entry to the Pipe Masters) the rest was history when Al went on to get 2nd at the Pipeline Masters.
Producer/Camera Iain Eggleton. Camera/watercam Roger Lyndon.
Some cool stuff considering noone had filmed a Surf nats for TV before. Heli/Watercam/shooting from Lion Rock looking into the wave and from the bluff above the point. Some legends of NZ surfing are featured and it was the first time NZ Surfing got into mainstream Television Sports. The Production values were very different back then to now. We were just surfing lovers who shot the waves. Its a miracle it survived as there was no archiving at TVNZ back then. Its sat in my garage till Chris Kirkham at Greenroom TV asked me if I had any old footage. Hence it has surfaced.
Next clip is a profile of Benny Hutchings 1975 NZL surf champ....
Words by Iain Eggleton director for TVNZ Sport 1975/76.
Videos remastered by NZ Greenroom Productions
Piha Bar. Image by Strauss
Piha Bar. Image by Strauss
Piha Bar from the North side of Lion Rock. Image by Strauss
Piha Bar. Image by Strauss
Piha Bar. Image by Strauss
My old trail bike and Greenough spoon. Image by Strauss
Piha Bar. Image by Strauss
Piha Bar. Image by Strauss
Piha Bar. Image by Strauss
'Da Boys' Piha regulars early 70's. Image by Strauss
Strauss in the mid 70's! Image by Strauss
Image by Strauss
Image by Strauss
The Hyundai National Championships celebrates a monumental milestone in 2012 with the fiftieth edition of the event taking place at Piha Beach, Auckland. The all encompassing seven day event will run from the 15th - 21st of January.