C4Waterman Australian Ambassador Beau Nixon opened up the 2011 year with a successful New Zealand campaign winning the SUP division in the Hyundai Pro event held at Sandy Bay, Whangarei, New Zealand this past weekend.

The Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) final took the water and were treated to a smorgasbord of fun waves with the low tide conditions really suiting the SUP surfers. Young Australian surfer Beau Nixon (AUS) surfing the new C4 8'6 Batwing smashed a long right hander to the beach, linking fast turns with hard cutbacks scoring a 9.0 and the eventual win.

Current National Champion Daniel Kereopa (Raglan) showed why he continues to be one of the leading watermen in New Zealand. Kereopa, who is also a Hyundai Athlete Ambassador, picked off lefts and rights and displayed some amazing talent. Whangamata surfer Karlos Aarsen did a huge layback turn on his forehand, and infamous South Island big wave charger Shayne Baxter (CHCH) picked off some fantastic waves.

The lead changed a number of times but it was Current Australian SUP surfer number two, Beau Nixon, who won the final.

Stand Up Paddleboard Division Final
1st Beau Nixon (AUS),
2nd Daniel Kereopa (Raglan),
3rd Shayne Baxter (CHCH),
4th Karlos Aarsen (Whangamata)