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.
2024 / 2025 Surfing for Farmers season details coming soon
“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.”