Surfing for Farmers encourages farmers to take a couple of hours each week to head to the surf to help better manage stress and improve mental health. It’s also a fantastic social event with attendees enjoying a barbecue and drinks after a surf.
The events offer those new to the sport the opportunity to receive lessons and tips from qualified instructors, while all the required gear is provided on the day to make it as easy as possible for people to get involved.
Supporting rural health is important to our Client Councils and we’re proud to support the Surfing for Farmers initiative.
“Surfing for Farmers is a fantastic initiative that brings farmers, growers and workers together to have fun, relax away from the farm and make new connections,” Ohope SFF Co-ordinator Phil Williams says. “Each week brings new faces, some who have never surfed before, so it’s a great opportunity for people to learn a new skill while leaving the stresses of work at the farm.”
Galatea farmer Adam Barkla agrees. “This is my first year and I absolutely love it. It’s good fun and a really great opportunity for me and my family to catch up with old friends - and it’s just good to be out there surfing and forgetting about the farm. I’ve never surfed but I’m getting up - they have really good teachers. Afterwards we get to enjoy a BBQ and a couple of beers, there’s so many people bringing along the kids just having a good time.”
| Location | Start date | Surfing for Farmers Contact |
| Ohope - west end | Every Tuesday, starting 2 November 5.30pm | Phil Williams: 027 499 5605 |
| Pauanui - top of My Vista | Every Wednesday, starting 10 November 4.30pm | Seth Roe: 027 230 6937 |
| Raglan, Ngarunui Beach | Every Wednesday, starting 24 November 5.30pm | Matte Kirk: 027 222 2403 |
| Kaiaua Beach | Every Wednesday, starting 25 November 5.30pm | Matt Jefferd: 027 499 9205 |
| Northern Hawkes Bay - Waimarama Beach | Every Thursday, starting 25 November | Tim Wynne-Lewis: 027 488 9719 |
| Southland - Colac Bay/Riverton/Monkey Island | Every Thursday, starting 25 November 6pm |
Tom Slee: 021 2257 067 |
| North Canterbury - Gore Bay | Every Thursday, starting 2 December 6.30pm | James Northcote: 027 216 6822 |
| Wairarapa - Riverside Beach surf club | Every Thursday, starting 2 December 5.30pm | Richard Moore: 021 313 877 |
| Taranaki - Opunake Beach | Every Thursday, starting 2 December 5.30pm | Simon: 027 458 7123 |
| Mt Maunganui - corner of Banks and Marine Parade | Every Thursday, starting 2 December 5.30pm | Geoff Waite: 027 601 4444 Sarah Hickey: 027 554 9257 |
| Sumner Beach | Every Tuesday, starting 7 December 6.15pm | Sandra Taylor: 021 151 8685 |
| Waihi Beach - north end surf club | Every Tuesday, starting 7 December 5.30pm |
Mike Meade: 027 659 0661 |
| Gisborne - Midway Beach surf club | Every Tuesday, starting 7 December 5.30pm | Stephen Thomson: 021 450 6531 |
| Taranaki - Fitzroy Beach | Every Tuesday, starting 7 December 5.30pm | Mark Dwyer: 021 528 263 |
| Kaka Point | Every Wednesday, starting 8 December 5.30pm | Paul Richardson: 027 477 4106 |
| Oamaru - Campbells Bay, Kakanui Beach | Every Wednesday, starting 8 December 6pm | Alfie Broughton: 021 247 8542 |
| Central Hawkes Bay - Pourerere Beach | Every Wednesday, starting 8 December 6pm | Andy Lee: 027 354 8608 |
| Kaikoura - Ward Beach, Okiwi Bay or Kekerengu River Mouth | Every Thursday, starting 9 December | Henry Ryan: 027 868 2862 |
| Central Hawkes Bay - Porangahau Beach | Every Wednesday, starting 15 December 4pm | Andy Lee: 027 354 8608 |
| Dunedin - Brighton or Ovean View Beach | Every Thursday, starting 16 December 4.30pm | Becs Camerson: 027 366 9275 |
| Northland - Sandy Bay | Every Wednesday, starting 12 January 5.30pm | Calvin Ball: 027 223 2894 Ryan Baxter: 027 285 9075 |
| Northland - Waipu Cove | Every Thursday, starting 13 January 5.30pm |
Calvin Ball: 027 223 2894 Ryan Baxter: 027 285 9075 |
| Southland - Curio Bay | Every Tuesday, starting 18th January | Tom Slee: 021 2257 067 Katrina Thomas: 027485 4395 |
