Billy Staimand NZ's most winningest surfer

Raglan’s Billy Stairmand smashed a thirty-year-old record by securing his sixth title in the Open Men’s Division of the 2017 National Surfing Championships presented by Health 2000 and becoming the most winningest surfer in New Zealand history.

Stairmand was joined by Whangmata’s Ella Williams on the winners dais, Williams also defending her Open Women’s Division title.

The final day of the event was held in big 2.0m swell at Piha Beach with light winds offering the best conditions the event experienced all week.

Stairmand surfed to a 14.63 point heat total in the final which he started out with a near perfect 9.53 point ride for two huge turns on one of the biggest waves of the final.

Stairmand proceeded to do a lap around the beach and back out the keyhole before finding a second scoring ride which was enough to edge him ahead of fellow Raglan surfer Taylor Hutchison.

Hutchison had worked his way up into the lead with an 11.83 point heat total after two good waves through the inside section.  However, Stairmand came back with a 5.1 point second scoring ride which was enough to get back in to the lead.

The thirty year old record was held by Iain Buchanan, who was in attendance to witness the final, and Wayne Parkes both of Auckland. Buchanan last won an open title in 1987 at Gisborne, his fifth straight, while Parkes also won five consecutive titles from ‘66 – ‘70.