Polo action back on beach

Fast and furious skirmishes are again in store at this year's Porangahau Beach Polo event. Photo / Supplied

The thrill of high-octane equine action on the sand combined with glamorous beach-side social activities returns to Central Hawke's Bay this year with the third annual Porangahau Beach Polo event at the end of this month.

Actor Sylvester Stallone once quipped that "playing polo is like trying to play golf during an earthquake".

Applied to the beach, you can add a few notches on the Richter scale. With a smaller area played on, the action is fast and in your face - an adrenaline rush for both spectators and players.

As with last year, when thousands of people took in the spectacle, former All Black David Kirk will be back for the two-day event held on December 27 and 28, joining other riders who play both locally, nationally and around the world.

The main polo action will take place on Monday, December 28 and features eight teams competing in four games, with the first chukka starting at 1pm, and the last game starting at 5pm.

During the day, food stalls will be set up on the green, or bring your own picnic.

One of the best places to grab the action, however, is the VIP marquee where visitors can experience the full hospitality.

Porangahau Beach Polo committee representative Jean Kibblewhite said the VIP experience would give people a chance to rub shoulders with national as well as international guests and players from as far away as Switzerland, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and China.

Not only does the marquee offer the best view of the games, there's also a bar and local DJ Alister Houkamau.

After the action on Monday, there will be a party complete with an Argentinian barbecue, and sounds by Wellington pop cover band The Hipnotics.

On Sunday, December 27, there will be practice games during the day followed by a "Party in the Garden" at ChapelwickCoastal Estate.

Jean said all available beach baches had been booked for the weekend but for people wanting to stay at Porangahau there is the option of "glamping", with Taylor & Bell tents - visit www.taylorbelltents.co.nz for details.

- All tickets available at eventfinda.co.nz/2015/porangahau-beach-polo/porangahau