Big or small surf, club will celebrate

Rupert Newbold says his club has coaching for youngsters and there is a base of good young surfers coming through. Photo / File

Two- to three-foot swells are anticipated for a competition that will mark a decade for a Northland surfing club.

The Ocean Beach Boardriders Club's sixth annual summer session is on tomorrow, followed by a 10-year anniversary concert featuring local entertainers Coastafarianz and Kerikeri band Scarlet Fever.

Surfing divisions include open (which is open to any age or gender and includes $500 prize money for first place), women's, junior (18 and under), longboard, and over-40s.

Club president Rupert Newbold says entries are on the day and there is room for about 60 surfers to enter.

"I don't think it'll be very big surf - in the two- to three-foot range - but we'd like to hold it regardless."

Last year, the event was postponed twice due to the lack of swell.

This year's competition also marks the 10 years since the club was formed.

"I'm pretty much the only original committee member," Mr Newbold said, who has been the president for the past six years.

"I'm happy to see our club going strong for 10 years. Surfing's my passion and I'd like to share it.

"We've never been a very big club but we have an active coaching system for local juniors.

"We've got quite a good base of young surfers coming up through the club now."

While the club holds about four or five smaller competitions per year, the summer session - sponsored by Steve Bowling Contractors - is definitely the largest, says Mr Newbold.

It attracts surfers from around Northland, but also from as faraway as Auckland and Raglan.

This year, the event coincides with the Billabong National Surfing Championships 2015 at Piha, which is likely draw some entrants away.

Mike Plant, from The Hits, is MC for the day at the local event and the the 10-year anniversary celebrations will be held at the nearby Newbold's farm, which will not only feature live entertainment but also a light supper. Entry is by koha and it is BYO.

Registration for the surf competition is at the lookout at 7.30am on Saturday, and entry is $30 for non-members and $10 for members.

In terms of accessibility for disabled or older persons, there is a viewing area with a reasonably clear view of the main event.