Surfing for Farmers – The perfect break returns for summer

A surf therapy initiative helping improve mental health and wellbeing in New Zealand rural communities is returning to beaches across the country.

Surfing for Farmers, now a registered charity, returns to 27 locations this summer.

Launched in Gisborne in 2018 by Stephen Thomson, Surfing for Farmer is now run by fellow board members Geoff Waite and Sarah Hickey. This year the board has appointed national coordinator Sarah Shanks and has the help of many volunteers who give up their time to lead their local regions. Thousands of farmers around the country have taken part in the initiative since starting.

The Surfing for Farmers programme allows farmers and growers to step away from an all-consuming business by getting out on the water for a surf, enjoying a BBQ and sharing stories with others in the rural community. All equipment and coaching are free of charge.

Chairman Stephen Thomson says, "it's fantastic to see the growth of Surfing for Farmers. As season five approaches, we are pumped to get this summer off the ground and the rural community out there surfing.
'We struggled at times last year. A combination of growing pains, poor weather and covid upset most locations at some point. However, the satisfaction of seeing farmers grinning from ear to ear as they come in from surfing is our driver to do it all again, bigger and better".

Our sponsorship fund continues to grow thanks to hundreds of local businesses all around New Zealand. The sponsors want to help us expand throughout their regions as they see the benefits of Surfing for Farmers. We cannot thank you enough.

The Surfing for Farmers initiative is supported by premium sponsors Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Bayleys, NZ Beef & Lamb, Jarden and Rabobank.

"Surfing for Farmers is for everyone. We hope to see our regulars back again and look forward to new participants coming along and joining in on the buzz”, says Stephen Thomson.

Surfing for Farmers will be at the following locations.

To register for the season, complete this form

For more information, click here.