Piha surfer Bevan Wiig competing at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCPL

Taranaki surfer Bachelor Tipene competing on day three of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCPL

Taranaki surfer Keone Campbell competing on day three of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCP

Piha surfer Liam Joyce competing at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCPL

Taranaki surfer Eli MacDonald competing on day three of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCPL

Taranaki surfer Sean Kettle competing on day three of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCPL

Piha surfer Liam Joyce competing at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCPL

Taranaki surfer Jamie Andrews competing on day three of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCPL

Taranaki surfer Simon Deken competing on day three of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCPL

Bobby Hansen (Gis) that made a successful three-heat comeback to move into the quarterfinals on day 3 of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships. Image by Craig Levers PhotoCPL - www.photocpl.co.nz — at Piha Beach.

Mount Maunganui surfer Matt-Lewis Hewitt blazing a big backhand turn sending spray flying during whilst contesting the Open Men’s Division at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha today (Wednesday 17th January). Image by Photocpl ww

Richard Christie ranked 43rd in the world, and Billy Stairmand (Rag), ranked 79th drew each other in their first heat but easily progressed, Christie getting the nod over Stairmand this time around. Image by Craig Levers - PhotoCPL www.photocpl.co.nz — at

Billy Stairmand tearing into it at Piha Beach on day 3 of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships. Image by Craig Levers PhotoCPL - www.photocpl.co.nz — at Piha Beach.

The man they are chasing, Jay Quinn (Gis), was in equally devastating form winning his heat despite a slow start on day 3 of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships. Image by Craig Levers PhotoCPL - www.photocpl.co.nz — at Piha Beach.

Hyundai National Champs - Piha - Sandy Bay surfer Manu Scott – Arrieta was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Under 16 Boys Division after winning his early heat in the first round. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Raglan’s Ben Poulter who riding the less preferred longboard, smashed his way through the best longboard proponents in New Zealand to make it to the final four surfers at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships. Image by

Hyundai National Champs - Piha - Elliot Paerata - Reid surfing his way to the final eight surfers in the Under 16 Boys Division of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Piha - Gisborne longboard surfer Michael Fitzharris slashing his way to the final of the Open Longboard Division on day two of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Piha - Elliot Paerata - Reid surfing his way to the final eight surfers in the Under 16 Boys Division of the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Mount Maunganui surfer Jordan Griffin flying down the line of a frothy wave during the Under 16 Boys Division. Image by PhotoCPL

Bay of Plenty surfer Mackenzie Christie competing at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCPL

Bay of Plenty surfer Alex Dive at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCPL

Bay of Plenty surfer Tim O’Connor. Image by PhotoCPL

Bay of Plenty surfer Josh Taylor at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships held at Piha. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Piha - Whangamata surfer Lynden Kennings competing on his stand up paddleboards during the first day of action at the 2012 Hyundai National Surfing Championships. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Piha -Ben Poulter (Rag) used his shortboard style to complete big turns like the one pictured here on his backhand. Poulter is contesting four divisions at the event, the most of any contestant. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Piha surfer Zen Wallis surfed a great heat to place second behind Ben Poulter in the quarterfinals. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Piha - Armie Armstrong who won the King of the Waves Stand Up Paddleboard Race at the end of the day. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Piha - Daniel Procter won the Open Longboard Division last time the event was contested at Piha in 2009. Today he posted 11.40 out of 20 points to win his heat and move through to the semifinals. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Piha - Whangamata surfer Karl Aarsen progressed through the quarterfinals. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Piha - Daniel Kereopa chases down his opponent during the surfing section of the Stand Up Paddleboard Division. Image by PhotoCPL

Hyundai National Champs - Piha - Christchurch surfer Shayne Baxter has a talent for getting his massive stand up paddleboard in the most radical positions. Image by PhotoCPL