Sculpture will reflect surf history

NEARLY THERE: A sculpture to celebrate Gisborne’s surfing history is just months away from installation at the end of Roberts Road. One of the people who initiated it, Gail Patty, and Art in Public Places chairwoman Kay Crosby, are pictured near where the sculpture will be erected. Picture by Paul Rickard

A sculpture depicting Gisborne’s historic association with surfing is close to becoming a reality.

Gisborne Art in Public Places Trust trustee Kay Crosby said the last funding applications were in and a December date for the sculpture to be placed at the planned Roberts Road site was still the plan.

Most of the funding for the sculpture has come from Trusts and Foundations.

Art creator Paulus McKinnon has been working with the committee and local surfers to create the sculpture.

The woman who initiated the sculpture, Gail Patty, along with her twin sister Joan, were Gisborne’s original female surfers and had their first experience of riding waves at Roberts Road in the summer of 1962.

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Gisborne’s consistent surf and weather bring many national and international visitors to surf here, says Mrs Crosby.

The value of Gisborne’s surf is obvious, with six or seven surf events to be held here in the next year and four ‘‘learn to surf’’ businesses operating.

The sculpture will be in 12mm plate steel that will rust naturally.

It is designed to tell future generations and visitors enjoying the Oneroa Walkway about how surfing started in Gisborne.

Mrs Crosby says a storyboard will tell the history of surfing from the beginning to modern day surfing.

This has become New Zealand’s No. 1 surfing lifestyle district, with three generations of families enjoying the waves.

The sculpture will depict three types of surfboards as outlines, so views of the bay will not be restricted.

The three surfboards represent three generations of surfers and three eras of surfing from the ’60s to the present day.

Mr McKinnon says it will be a constantly shifting viewpoint, so you never get the same view of the sculpture as you walk around it.

“The shapes will sort of move in relationship to each other.”

Gisborne District Council will pay for the sculpture’s installation, including the plinth and the plaque, and LDE has donated geotechnical and engineering support.

A public ceremony will be held and the unique surfing sculpture will be gifted to the city, said Mrs Crosby.