Mount surfer Matt Hewitt has claimed the final event of the New Zealand Pro Series in Hawke's Bay on Sunday, winning the Open Men's Division at the Backdoor BayBash.

Matt finished the final with an 18.13 point heat total to claim the title, but it was a slow start for the New Zealand representative, which had him worried early in the final.

'I only got my first wave with 12 minutes to go in the final, but when you actually got the waves they were good,” says Matt.

'I am stoked to win the Backdoor BayBash, it has been a long time since I have won anything so that makes the trip down all the more better.”

It was runner up surfer Chris Malone (Raglan) who kicked off the final with an 8.83 point ride and early lead, but his patience game left him requiring a big score at the end of the heat after Matt built on his slow start.

Waihi Beach surfer Levi Stewart finished the final in third place and was a form surfer for much of the weekend before waves deserted him in the final. Ben Kennings (WGM) finished the final in fourth.

The Open Women's Division final was more of a head-to-head battle with Britt Kindred fighting for the title against Raiha Ensor (Mount). Britt eventually got the nod with a 15.03 point heat total over Raiha's 14.53.

'I had a rough start in the Under 20 Girls Division this weekend but that fired me up to do better in the Open Women's Division, so it was good in the long run and it made me determined to win the Open Women's Division final” says Britt.

'I am happy with the win, it's my second of the year after winning the South Island Champs. Last year I got a lot of runner up finishes so it is good to convert them in to wins this year.”

Finishing third in the final was Billie Scott (Whangarei) ahead of triple finalist Saffi Vette (Gis) in fourth.

Jonas Tawharu (Mount) surfed to a perfect ten point ride to clinch the Under 20 Boys Division.

After a move further up the point, Jonas swung on one of the best waves of the day and unleashed a seamless five turn combination on his backhand to get the perfect score.

He finished with a 16.0 point heat total, eclipsing Taylor Hutchison (Raglan) in second, Callum Chuter (Mount) in third and Andrew Fraser-Mackenzie (Mount) in fourth.

Kai Woolf (Gisborne) had a victorious return to New Zealand waters after spending the entire winter in her South African homeland but returning to claim the Under 20 Girls Division. Kai posted a 12.90 point total in the final to beat her good friend Saffi Vette (Gisborne) in second, Georgia Wederell (Mount) in third and Billie Scott (Whangarei) in fourth.

Piha's Shane Kraus claimed his first national win of the year in the Under 17 Boys Division. The smooth surfer latched on to the two best waves in the final with waves quickly getting gobbled up by the incoming tide.

Shane finished runner up at one event held in home waters this year but was pleased to top the podium this weekend after posting 12.77 points out of a possible 20 in the final.

He defeated New Zealand representatives Jared Gebert (Ohope) and Lee Ririnui (Mnt) who finished in second and third respectively with Whakatane surfer Jack Lee in fourth.

Raiha Ensor Claimed one of two finals she contested in the Under 17 Girls Division. Raiha was far too strong for her opponents posting 12.83 out of a possible 20 points for the win. Kai Woolf (Gis) placed second in the final ahead of Saffi Vette (Gis) in third and Gabi Paul (Piha) in fourth.

Kora Cooper (Raglan) transferred his point break skills from the Raglan lefts to the Te Awanga rights with perfection winning the Under 14 Boys Division. It is the second NZ Grom Series win in a row for the young surfer after he claimed the same division at the Backdoor GromBash at Raglan in May.

Getting the edge on a count back was Oakura surfer Tom Butland who finished in second ahead of Tom Robinson (Whangarei) in third and Josef Jungwirth (Rag) in fourth.