Raising the bar for young surfers

RAISING THE BAR: A new after-school surf programme called Rippers starts on Wednesday. Based on the surf lifesaving Nippers programme, Rippers is designed for the 5 to 12 age group to raise the bar of surfing in the region while increasing water safety in a fun environment. Assembled at North Makorori Beach are some of Gisborne’s young surfers and mentors, back from left, Bonnie Lynch, Te Haukopa Ehau-Taumaunu, Finn Johnson, Kelly Ryan (Gisborne Boardriders Club surfing development manager), Manawa Ruru, Finn Murphy and Nell Murphy. In front, from left, are Bonnie Lynch, Hunter Lynch, Jay Ryan-Emerre, Daniel Ryan-Emerre and Kia Murphy. Picture by Liam Clayton

A NEW surf programme for children is designed to raise the bar of surfing in the region while increasing water safety in a fun environment.

Rippers is a weekly event, beginning next Wednesday, for children aged between five and 12.

The programme will be run by Gisborne Boardriders Club, based on surf life saving Nippers but with a focus on surfing.

“Rippers teaches our youngsters water safety, developing their water confidence and instilling the best possible surfing techniques from the earliest stages,” says GBC surfing development manager Kelly Ryan.

“Most of all, it is about families having fun with expert guidance.

“We will use qualified surfing coaches, parents, lifeguards and celebrity surfers to create a safe, fun, structured surfing development programme that ensures the best surfing technique and water safety is instilled from the youngest age.

“By identifying and developing talent in this region’s young surfers, we open pathways for children’s water confidence and skill development while fostering ongoing water involvement — leading to fulfilling, lifelong personal involvement in water sports.”

Young rippers will be grouped into the programme’s five levels and receive instruction by experts and participate in surf-related activities on land and in the sea.

“Safety, structure and fun are cornerstones of the Rippers programme,” Mr Ryan says.

Participants will wear rash vests to show they are part of the programme and also what level they are, and be under the supervision of qualified surfing coaches, lifeguards and parents.

Rippers will never be cancelled as there is an indoor component included for when conditions are unsuitable for surfing.

The cost of Rippers is $50 per child for the year, or if the child is a member of GBC the fee is $25.

It will run until May 17 and begin again on or around November 1 in the new season. There will be 16 sessions.

The programme will run from 5.30pm to 7pm each Wednesday.

The location will vary between the town beaches based on the conditions and be announced on the GBC Facebook page by lunchtime on the day.

For more information contact Mr Ryan on 021 164 1799.

Registration will be available early next week online through the club website www.gisborneboardriders.com