Surfing NZ is the national sporting body charged with promoting and developing surfing in New Zealand. It supports 35 affiliated clubs around the country, including New Plymouth Surfriders, which hosted the National Surfing Championships in January 2025.
“It’s a seven-day event, which inevitably costs a lot of money and time to run,” said Ben Kennings, Surfing NZ CEO.
“As well as all the effort put in by local club members, Surfing NZ has officials at the beach from 7am to 6pm daily. That includes myself as Contest Director, MCs to guide the event, beach marshals who are the point of contact for all the competitors, and the judges.”
A $10,000 grant from Toi Foundation helped Surfing NZ recompense its officials for around 900 hours of time and effort.
The Championships attracted 400 entries, with 71% of those competitors – and their supporters – coming from outside Taranaki.
Ben says that being able to bring these national events to the regions means the Taranaki surfers don’t have to travel and get to surf a major event at home.
“It also showcases national surfing to those that don’t travel further afield. They get to see the level of surfing and there’s that aspirational value for the youngsters to see their heroes surfing at their local break and be able to go and meet them.
“So I think there are some real benefits there for the local community as well. It brings together the board rider clubs and creates a sense of community. These were such successful championships, and something for New Plymouth Surfriders to be really proud of.”
