NZ surfing history

“2 finals, 2 seconds this year . . . time to have children.”
So went the Twitter from Gisborne father-to-be Jay Quinn after continuing his rise up the ASP world surfing rankings with a runner-up performance in the 6-star Kangaroo Island Pro in South Australia yesterday.
On one of the most memorable days in New Zealand surfing history, Australia-based world Quinn was beaten by top seed Kolohe Andino in the final of the $NZ184,000 contest in 1-metre waves and blustery conditions at Vivonne Bay.
All three Kiwis plying their trade on the cut-throat secondary tier of world surfing made it through to the last eight — what is understood to be a first in New Zealand surfing history.
Unfortunately, Quinn ended up knocking out good friends and “suitcase surfers” travelling mates Richard Christie (Mahia-Gisborne) and Billy Stairmand (Raglan) en route to the final.
The 28-year-old beat Stairmand in a tight quarterfinal earlier in the day.
Quinn totalled 13.90 (6.50, 7.40) out of a possible 20 for his two best waves while Stairmand scored 12.43 (6.33, 6.10).
It set up a semifinal against Christie, whose 13.17 (5.67, 7.50) eliminated Australian Perth Standlick (9.80) in their quarterfinal.
Quinn got the better of his buddy this time – 11.83 (7.33, 4.50) to Christie’s 8.50 (5.33, 3.17) – to advance to the final against diminutive world No. 31 Andino who went into the event having won the previous two 6-star contests.
The in-form American made his intentions clear from the start of the final, tearing through wave after wave to post 15.33 (7.33, 8.00) while Quinn preferred to wait for the bigger sets – a tactic that had proved successful in earlier heats — and finished on 13.64 (6.67, 6.97).
His powerful carving impressed the crowd and judges alike throughout the contest but he struggled in the wind-affected conditions in the final.
“I could be feeling a lot better right now but there wasn’t a lot more I could do out there,” Quinn said on the ASP website. “Kolohe can get eight-point-rides on knee high waves and I can’t.”
It was the second time this year Quinn had lost the final of a 6-star event. He was beaten by Brent Dorrington at the Scotland leg of the Cold Water Classic series in April.
No titles aside, he still picked up $15,600 and 2640 rankings points while Christie pocketed $6350 and 2080 points and world Stairmand $3745 and 1560 points.
“This is a good result and should push me up the ratings a few spots which is good,” said Quinn. “I go into Hawaii with a bit of confidence, if I manage to get there.”
Quinn and wife Ashley Cheadle are expecting their first baby in 10 days, so he has headed back to their home in Culbarra after this latest contest. He will be in Gisborne for sister Holly’s wedding next month.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand trio have guaranteed starts in the $317,000 World Cup prime event at Hawaii’s Sunset Beach from November 25.
Christie and Stairmand are to contest the 6-star Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa, starting this weekend.
n Quinn has moved from No. 46 to 44 on the ASP world rankings updated today. Christie has gone from 44 to 45 and Stairmand 85 to 78.