MICHAEL Burling won the New Zealand North Island Longboard Championships 2010 on September 11, after surfing with 60 contestants at Forestry Beach, Mangawhai.

The surfing website surf2 surf reported that many of New Zealand's top longboarders present at the event held in challenging conditions.

"Michael Burling (Wanganui) ttook out first place of the Fletcher Construction Open Mens division, with a powerful and fluid display of surfing."

Michael's father, Steve Burling of Ha'atafu Beach Resort on Tongatapu, said today that his son had been unable to compete in many events over the past two years due to work and medical study commitments.

"Mike announced at the presentation ceremony that he will be taking three years off from competitive surfing to focus on study as he embarks on a six year training program to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology. He is currently working in Napier but will be taking up a new position as a Junior Registrar at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland from November."

"We are confident that he will be available to represent Tonga at the South Pacific Games in New Caledonia in 2011," said Steve.