Hareb’s sights set On elusive title
New Zealand’smost successful surfer, Taranaki’s Paige Hareb, will contest the national championships for the first time in 14 years as she looks to tick off another achievement.
Hareb is one of several elite Kiwi surfers in a field of over 300 entries at the 2021 nationals at Piha from January 10-16.
Hareb’s international commitments and focus have prevented her from contesting the nationals since 2007 when she secured a runner-up finish in the open women’s division.
She is yet to get her name on the trophy which lists champions back to 1964 when it was won by Cindy Webb.
A restructured international calendar commences in midFebruary. That, combined with over 10 months at home in 2020, has allowed Hareb the opportunity to have an overdue crack at the title.
‘‘I have been stuck in New Zealand since March 2020, so I thought it was as good a time as any to compete at the event this year,’’ Hareb said.
‘‘I have always had inmy head that I wanted to win a national title. I want to tick it off and this year is the perfect opportunity.’’
Hareb has enjoyed a good build up to the event, suggesting she is the fittest she has ever been.
‘‘I have been surfing heaps recently and getting into foiling too which is fun. It has been a good build up for the event’’ she said.
Hareb will wait for as long as possible before booking to head across the Tasman to start competing in the Australasian World Qualifying Series as she evaluates the pandemic situation in New South Wales, the location of the first event of the year.
Hareb is joined in the open division by defending champion Ava Henderson (Christchurch) who is already at Piha in preparation for the event.
Henderson burst onto the national stage at the 2020 nationals held at Dunedin, winning as a 14-year-old. Since then, Henderson has gone on to match her older, more experienced opponents in the
‘‘I have always had in my head that I wanted to win a national title. I want to tick it off and this year is the perfect opportunity.’’
Paige Hareb
most recent domestic event, although Hareb came out the victor on that occasion in good conditions at Raglan.
The two surfers will be joined by two-time national champion EllaWilliams (Whangamata), one of two provisionally qualified athletes for Tokyo 2020 as well as a number of talented young surfers.
Billy Stairmand is the second qualified athlete for Tokyo 2020 and will front the lineup in the open men’s division.
Like Hareb, Stairmand won the most recent domestic event, held in November at Raglan. He is in excellent form and eyes an eighth national title next week, looking to extend his own record.
‘‘The nationals is one ofmy favourite events, I love to start the year competing at home, ease into things and feel comfortable with my surrounds,’’ Stairmand said.
‘‘I look forward to getting as many heats undermy belt as possible next week and with the Olympic focus in the middle of the year, I am already well into my training programme.’’
Stairmand won the event when
it was last held at Piha.
‘‘Piha is known for getting a lot of swell which is always good and we often surf left-handers which is to my liking. I have the same house each time I compete here staying with friends and I look forward to theweek with everyone and getting the season off to a good start,’’ he said.
He will be joined by the top four surfers on the 2020 New Zealand Surf Series rankings in Taylor Hutchison (Raglan), Daniel Farr (Taranaki) and Dune Kennings (Piha) who round out the top seeds at the event.
Defending champion Elliot Paerata-Reid won’t be present to defend his title in home waters at Piha after crossing the ditch to Australia in October and not being able to secure a quarantine booking back in New Zealand in time to compete nextweek.
Dunedin’s South Coast Boardriders will defend the club titlewhich will be hotly contested by several leading clubs from Raglan, Auckland, Mount Maunganui, Christchurch and Gisborne.