Peter Byers

The Hyundai 2012 National Surfing Champs are for the first time, awarding a Most Outstanding Performance Trophy which will go to the stand-out performance at the 50th anniversary champs. It could be for the best heat, or wave or barrel or combination of feats.

Local builder/craftsman Clive Barron has made the board shaped trophy our of kauri.

Peter died in late 2012 aged 71, and he is remembered as one of the pioneering board riders, as well as the founding father of board-making in NZ. Peter in 1958 started board building after the memorable visit to Piha of two Californian lifeguards – Bing Copeland and Rick Stoner – who showed how to ride waves and how to build boards. Peter supported the two during their stay – cooking snags and tomatoes from his glasshouses, and running around Auckland to find styrofoam and fibreglass. 

When the Caifornians left, Peter kept building his Custom Surfboards from Peter Byers in a shed in Beach Valley Road. Peter’s boards went all over New Zealand, and to Oz as well, spreading the craze of board riding.

Peter Way

This 50th surfing nationals also National Champion in the men’s division, won by Peter Way in 1963 at Mt Maunganui. Peter was a member of North Piha Surf Club and also a manufacturer of boards, who emigrated to the Gold Coast.