Annual longboard contest supports Tauawhi kaupapa

Daniel Procter in action at the Tauawhi Longboard Classic, which is on for the ninth year this weekend at Makorori Beach. File picture

The ninth annual Tauawhi No-Violence Longboard Classic will be held at Makorori Beach this Saturday.

The event is the brainchild of Tauawhi trustee and president of the Moananui Longriders, Ian “Moti” Procter, who saw a fun, charity surf event as a great way to support Tauawhi Men’s Centre and the non-violence kaupapa.

“Although the standard of longboard surfing in Tairāwhiti is high, this event is more about the kaupapa than the competition,” he said.

This year the event honours Don Pearson, who passed away earlier this year and was a supporter of Tauawhi and participant of the event since its inception.

“It will be a privilege to honour Don, who  supported our event since day one as a competitor, but also with his photography of the day.

“He was also the winner of a new surfboard, our major spot prize last year, which was awesome, given the support he has given us,” Tauawhi coordinator Tim Marshall said.

The event starts with registration at 7am on Saturday morning and has categories for Opens, Veterans, Juniors and Amateurs. All entrants go in the draw for the major spot prize, presented at the end of the prizegiving and after the traditional Speedo  and bikini event.

For more information contact event director Daniel Procter on 022 436 1302 or email at dan.procky@gmail.com.