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.”
If you’d like to get involved in an event, you can find all the details of where and when the sessions are below.
For more information, contact your local Rabobank representative or visit the Surfing for Farmers website.
| Location | Start date | Surfing for Farmers Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Pukehina | November 23, 2023 | Boyd: 027 341 4439 |
| Ohope - west end | November 7, 2023 | Robin Bean: 027 281 5225 |
| Waihi Beach - north end surf club | November 16, 2023 | Mike Meade: 027 659 0661 |
| Raglan, Ngarunui Beach | November 29, 2023 | Matte Kirk: 027 222 2403 |
| Southland - Colac Bay/Riverton/Monkey Island | November 23, 2023 | Tom Slee: 021 2257 067 Katrina Thomas: 027 485 4395 |
| Hickory Bay | November 23, 2023 | Kristin Savage |
| Pauanui - top of My Vista | TBC for 23/24 Season | Seth Roe: 027 230 6937 |
| East Coast - Tolaga Bay | December 7, 2023 | Henry Hindmarsh: 027 368 9677 |
| Taranaki - Fitzroy Beach | TBC for 23/24 Season | Mark Dwyer: 021 528 263 |
| Taranaki - Opunake Beach | November 28, 2023 | Simon: 027 458 7123 |
| Whanganui - Kia Iwi Beach | November 7, 2023 | Lucy Hayes: 027 344 8042 |
| Greymouth - North Tip Road, Cobden | November 29, 2023 | Paul Clement: 027 646 4677 |
| Mt Maunganui - corner of Banks and Marine Parade | December 7, 2023 | Geoff Waite: 027 601 4444 Sarah Hickey: 027 554 9257 |
| Wairarapa - Riverdale Beach surf club | November 23, 2023 | Richard Moore: 021 313 877 |
| Gisborne - Midway Beach surf club | November 21, 2023 | Stephen Thomson: 021 450 6531 |
| Sumner Beach | TBC for 23/24 Season | Sandra Taylor: 021 151 8685 |
| East Coast - Mahia | TBC for 23/24 Season | Cody Becker: 027 579 2435 |
| Oamaru - Kakanui Beach | TBC for 23/24 Season | Thomas Abernathy: 021 869 805 |
| Northern Hawkes Bay - Waimarama Beach | December 7, 2023 | Tim Wynne-Lewis: 027 488 9719 |
| North Canterbury - Gore Bay | December 7, 2023 | James Northcote: 027 216 6822 |
| Kaikoura - Ward Beach, Okiwi Bay or Kekerengu River Mouth | TBC for 23/24 Season | Henry Ryan: 027 868 2862 |
| Kaka Point | December 6, 2023 | Paul Richardson: 027 477 4106 |
| Dunedin - Brighton or Ocean View Beach | December 6, 2023 | Cameron Wood: 027 342 4914 |
| Central Hawkes Bay - Pourerere Beach | December 7, 2023 | Andy Lee: 027 354 8608 |
| Central Hawkes Bay - Porangahau Beach | TBC for 23/24 Season | Andy Lee: 027 354 8608 |
| Northland - Sandy Bay | January 10. 20223 | Calvin Ball: 027 223 2894 Ryan Baxter: 027 285 9075 |
| Northland - Waipu Cove | January 11, 2023 | Sophia Wood: 021 227 437 Katrina Stead: 027 489 2894 |