I look at the landscape of the sport and I see dreams coming true. This year’s Hyundai pro long board tour was filled with the dreams of a few crushing those of the many, some taking home trips overseas and even a brand spanking new Santa Fe. I had an almost perfect season last year, so was looking forward to continuing this form in 2010. Our tour started at Sandy bay in the far north, warm water and a good 3ft of swell greeted over 150 contestants. It was time to see who had improved over the off season, instantly Dylan and Jackson Winter (Noosa) stood out.
Above: Quiksilver team mate Dylan Barnfield, the new King of NZ long boarding - PHOTOCPL
The surprise entry of USA champs Taylor Jensen and former world champ Josh Constable had us all on our heels, they looked fit and focused. This showed on the water with both looking unstoppable, mixing old school flow with innovative lines, Constables 10 point wave in the final still stands out as the best wave of the circuit, a super straight legs 10 a hard smack then with no down time a extended floater that we boosted out on to the flats, it was pure class and I was blown away.
Our next stop takes us down south to Dunedin, WOW what a place stoked to have this spot on the circuit and can’t wait to search through its spots next time. Being guided around by the Prince Leroy Rust was also a pleasure, I don’t know what there on down south but he was so laid back and hospitable to us all, I would like to thank him and his family for looking after all the boys and giving us a place to lay our heads at night. Funniest surf at Allan’s one day with just the boys out until a Seal decided to get amongst the action, he really liked Keg for some reason, followed him around for a bit, sniffing and barking at him. Never seen Keggy scared before, could have cracked the seal to a Seal. The contest ran smoothly for me, the waves were perfect 2-3ft lefthanders, I’m hard to beat in those conditions and so the race was on for the 2010 crown.
Our 3rd stop Whangamata also doubled as the nationals for the year, solid surf predicted did not disappoint, waves braking way out to sea then re forming to crush onto the inside. Ignoring these conditions a huge field of over 150 competitors got amongst it, just goes to show that long boarding is taking off and with the continued support next year things are looking good. Dylan has been around for awhile, honing his skills in the wave’s starved region of Chch has not seemed to slow him down. I can remember him as a kid with a massive afro who did spinners all the time, somewhere along the line he has discovered a powerful style with radical moves, deserving of the National Title.
We all look forward to the final event for two reasons, Port Waikato usually turns on good solid surf and Mr Hyundai throws a hell of a knees up for the lads that can only be described as EPIC with a few finger clicks. The surf didn’t really play its part but we got stuck into it, to throw a spanner in the works Dylan was knocked out early, leaving the door WIDE open for a couple of us to take the tour crown and the winners trip to Hawaii. In my semi I was sitting in 2nd with 20 seconds remaining only to see the eventual winner and good friend Sam Johnson scrapes through by 0.2. Losing to the eventual champ eases the loss, but to just miss out on the title for a 2nd year running is a bit hard to swallow, but hey the party sure was a cracker.
Well done to all the event winners and to my Quiksilver team mate Dylan Barnfield, the new King of NZ long boarding. He could have a huge international future if he wanted too, it’s up to him. One thing is clear we will be going tit for tat for many years to come. I would also like to give a big shout out to Hyundai and there marketing team for putting on the Tour, the growth of Long boarding in our country can flourish through our continued partnership.
2010
04:09 pm
Good write up Proccy and I hope next year your battle ready and go hard again .Sadly I never got to any of the contests this year as I had an accident and had both legs arms and head amputated . Keggy hahahha imaginge that a seal hasseling him -he prolly thought the seal wanted the 50 cent peice he had in his back pocket and was really freakin cause a dat -so funny
- Posted by goober
2010
08:50 pm
WTF?? Shot Proc. You're the man. When I grow up I'm gona be like you. Maaa! Where's the meatloaf!?!
- Posted by Goose
2010
11:38 am
Mean write up Matua! too much
- Posted by T
2010
04:46 pm
Nice summary of the 2010 HPLT Procs. After 2009 -a year where you were almost invincible - to 2010 where you fell by the way side as the pro's showed the rest how its truly done, and the humble Mr Barnfield took glory. You are well respected in the wider longboard community Procs, so less of the "trumpet blowing" and what could have been for you, and more of real stuff.What does " Done and Dusted" mean for us, the mere mortals in the real world of surfing? You say "but to just miss out on the title for a 2nd year running is a bit hard to swallow" - I would say Mr Taj Burrows - the eternal bridesmaid on the Dream Tour or possibly Joel Parkinson would have a few words to enlighten you on your journey- how to lose gracefully. Pick yourself up and do it again next year mate. Less talk, more action.
- Posted by bridesmaid
2010
05:40 pm
Just get the sausy roll down flawless and itll be the new taylor jensen superman. It'll win you the tour cuz,no wories
- Posted by Sam Guthrie
2010
09:26 am
Come and join the Westend longboardriders dalt!
- Posted by Morgz
2010
11:31 am
wOW SO FEW POST ON pROCCYS BLOG -i AM LET DOWNmAY BE A FEW OF the Competitors mIGHT GIVE SOME tHOUGHTS -HEY MAYBE THE GREEN HAND COULD SAY SOMETHING .aNYWAY GOOD ONE dAN pROCTOR AND DONT LET THE pOPPY CUTTERS cut you Down BRO BLOW THAT TRUMPET HARD OUT BRO!!!!
- Posted by GOOBER
2010
06:34 pm
Always 6 foot and offshore at the pub bro...
- Posted by manu
2010
09:49 pm
Dan I saw you grow up surfing in Gizzy and I know your Dad, he is well respected in the surfing community in Gizzy, just like you bro.Your dad is a real surfer "never" surfs with a leg rope, I have seen you out surfing without your lege you don't need to prove anything bro, and you can do it again, cher bro kia kaha just one of the bro's.......
- Posted by The saltyone
Daniel Procter is a Gisborne lad and proven NZ longboarder. He holds the National Crown plus numerous other Titles. He has been competing for a decade, and recently represented NZ at the World Surf Games. Daniel sees himself as a surfing ambassador, keen to share knowledge through roles as GBC contest director, and Assitant Maori development coach.
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