Surf's up for police national champs

Sergeant Tristan Murray is ready for the National Police Surfing Champs that are being held at the Mount. Photo/John Borren

Cops from around New Zealand will descend on the Mount next week to take part in the Police National Surfing Champs.

Papamoa police station officer in charge Sergeant Tristan Murray says 87 police officers had confirmed from as far afield as Christchurch and Northland would battle it out in the waves.

A contingent of 17 locals from the Western Bay of Plenty had also put their hands up to compete in the event which was in its 13th year.

Tristan says the police encouraged staff to take part in sporting competitions but it did not fund them-employees paid their own way and took annual leave.

"They're opportunities to involve yourself with colleagues in an activity that you enjoy."

There was a certain amount of competitiveness but the "main aim is to have fun and forget about the rigours of our work".

"I like surfing because it is a destresser from the job. It's not an easy occupation being a police officer and surfing gives you an element of relaxation and recharges the soul."

Tristan says he was in it for the camaraderie and had enjoyed organising the championships.

He learnt to surf as a 12-year-old in Timaru and hit the surf at least once a week at his favourite spot in Papamoa.

Now he was busy scanning the surf reports.

"I will be really disappointed if there is no surf but at this time of the year it's usually reasonably good."

The ones to watch would be the surfers from Gisborne while 11 women were taking part as well and the competition boosted 9 categories and it was the second time it had been held at the Mount, he says.

POLICE SURFING CHAMPS
Where: Omanu Surf Club area
When: Monday, March 20 from 1pm to Friday, March 25.