Luke Hughes wins Volcom VQS

Following up a second place in the Corona Super 16 (he trailed Maz Quinn by just .5 points), DC's Luke Hughes continues his amazing recent run of form by winning the Volcom VQS. Now he's off to California to compete in the World VQS finals. Good work Luke! Here's a little rundown of the final.

The last final of the day was the Pro Am division with two local surfers, Luke Hughes and Leon Santorik going head to head. In a 15-minute final, they knew that they were going to have to post massive scores to take home the winner’s trophy and a chance to represent their country in the World VQS finals in California. It was Leon Santorik that landed the first blow and picked up a perfect left-hander, smashing it all the way down the point to pick himself up a 8 point ride. Hughes waited out the back patiently, he knew he had his work cut out for him, but when he took off on a cracker set wave and didn’t hold back, unleashing a series of beyond back hand vertical reo’s, he was awarded a near perfect 9-point ride from the judges. He knew he was back in the lead with 7 minutes remaining. Leon knew he needed a decent wave to take it out and when he paddled into a bomb the crowd thought he might of taken out the win. With 3 massive backhand blasts he had another 8-point ride added to his heat total of 16. With only 3 minutes left in the final and Hughes knowing he needed better than a 7-point ride to take out the final, his patience paid off when a 5-foot set came straight to him. He knew if he surfed this wave well he would have it in the bag. With the crowd on the point holding their breath he didn’t disappoint with 6 of the biggest turns all day. He picked himself up a near perfect 9.7 and also the winner’s trophy and the opportunity at a World VQS title to his name. After making the Final of the VQS 5 times Luke Hughes was ecstatic to finally have the prestigious title to his name In his winning speech Luke Hughes dedicated his fabulous win to his dad.

DC New Zealand Surf Team: Blair Stewart, Rowan Aish, Luke Hughes

Name: Blair Stewart
Age: 29
Hometown: Gisborne
Local: Wainui Beach, Gissy
Sport: surfing
With DC since: The last 4 years
What do you ride?: 6'2 by 18 1/2 by 2 1/4
Favourite DC shoe: The Radar or any of the high tops
What music have you got on heavy rotate at the moment? : White stripes, Metallica, Jimi Hendrix
Do you Read?: I always travel with a book, usually I like reading autobiographies on interesting people.
Love: my wife of cource, surfing, snowboarding nearly more than surfing, surf trips with the boys, new shoes, new surfboards, mt Ruapehu, my dog baxta, my cat ruby.
Hate: hate's a strong word but i dislike the ruapehu lift system, crap surf for contests, delayed flights, injuries.
Career highlights: Under 16 Junior World Title Bali 1995- 2nd. Under 16 National Surf Champ 95, Open Mens NZ National Champ 2003, Open Mens NZ Circuit Champ 2004.
1/4 finals of the Hansens Energy Pro Pipeline Hawaii 2003, unable to finish the event as i broke my back while surfing in the event, voted as one of the top 5 surfers in the country for the last 8 years.



Name: Rowan Aish
Age:22
Hometown:Murwai Beach
Your local: Maori Bay
Sport: Surfer
How long have you been surfing: 14 years
With DC since: 06
What do you ride?: Mostly I ride a 6'2 by 18'1/2 by 2'5/16 rounded square. Heaps of volume.
Favourite DC shoe: Volcano
Other sponsors: Insight Clothing, Hardcore Surf shop, Oakley Sunnies, ASRltd.
What music have you got on heavy rotate at the moment: I'm pretty relaxed about what I'm listening to these days, been playing 'Arcade Fire' allot lately. Also 'Detektivbyran' and 'Manu Chau' have taken my fancy but Neil Youngs still the all time favorite. (thanks dad)
Do you read?: Like to read when I find the time but a good book puts life on hold for me. Definatley Tim Winton has my favorite writing style. Also 'Shantaram' is an epic tale.
Stuff you love: Sitting inside with the curtains closed on a sunny day doing absolutely nothing productive. Playing Music, Riding weird old boards, First couple of drinks with good mates before going out, girls.
Stuff you hate: Having perfect waves and no banks at Home, loosing, people telling other people what they should look like, living half way around the world from my Girlfriend (Swiss).
Career accomplishments: A few double page spreads here and there, cover of the NZ Herald, Most promising performer and speech champ year 8, most improved player for Kumeu Knights U12, Most promising player Waimauku tennis club 98. 168th WQS final rating 08.


Name: Luke Hughes
Age: 21
Hometown: Raglan
Your local: Indicators, Raglan
Sport: Surfer
How long have you been riding: 12 years
With DC since: 2005
What do you ride?: 5'10 x 17" 7/8' x 2" 1/8' Hughes
Favourite DC shoe: Spartan High Top, Volcano
Other sponsors: Hughes Surfboards, Oakley, Vestal, Creatures of Leisure, Raglan Surf co.
What music have you got on heavy rotate at the moment: Lil Wayne 'The Carter 3', The Game 'LAX', T.I 'Paper Trail'. Been throwing in abit of House and D&B to mix it up.
Do you read? And if so what?: Sometimes a book, finishing Lance Armstrong's 'It's not about the bike' at the moment. Other than that, magazines, and directed internet comments.
Stuff you love: Family, Food, Surfing, Shaking it! Tatoos are pretty addictive at the moment.
Stuff you hate: Cruelty, just anything negative... Unaware Tourists can frustrate you now and then.
Career accomplishments: 3rd Rip Curl Pro Junior, Hossegor, France. U18 NZ National Scholastic Champion. U18 Rip Curl Raglan Classic Champion

















Photo // Silas - thanks to Kiwisurf