Surf school helps Hawke's Bay farmers get mental break

Tim Wynne-Lewis said surfing was a great way to spend time with his sons, 9-year-old Mali (left) and 16-year-old Josh (right). Photo / Supplied

A new surf programme set to launch in Hawke's Bay this summer aims to help farmers learn to 'hang loose'.

Surfing for Farmers was first launched in 2018 by Gisborne-based Stephen Thomson, after watching a documentary about surfing being used to help returned US soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I thought we could do that and help farmers get off the farm," he said.

The programme has taken off and now includes chapters in 15 regions across the country.

Tim Wynne-Lewis, of Bayleys Havelock North, thought it was a "great initiative" when he met Thomson earlier this year and was keen to get something up for those in Hawke's Bay.

Having grown up in Porangahau, he's been a surfer most of his life – a passion he's also passed onto his two sons.

"For me it's an escape.

"It's about being able to switch off.

"You just concentrate on the waves and catching the next one."

He said being by the beach left him feeling "positively charged"

It was also a good form of fitness and a chance to spend time with family.

"A great, cheap way to surf with my kids. It's a good getaway."

It didn't matter whether those partaking had surfed before or never been near a board, he said.

"It's a chance for them to socialise and get their minds off farm.

"It's focused really on mental health and wellbeing."

Andy Lee, who would be heading up the Central Hawke's Bay chapter agreed, saying it had been a hard year for many farmers following the drought.

"We were highly impacted by the drought at the start of the year."

As a farmer himself, he knew what it felt like "being swamped down".

He saw the programme as a way to give back to the community and help with mental health and wellbeing.

"It's not really about the surfing. At the end of the day, it's more about getting off farm and taking to others in your community."

He said Central Hawke's Bay was home to some beautiful beaches, like Porangahau and Blackhead Beach, and they would try to alternate the location of the programme to cater to the region.

"We've got quite a big coastline and quite a big farming community."

The two groups will run surfing lessons for primary industry producers across Hawke's Bay from December to March.

While funding has been secured to help with board and equipment hire, both groups are keen to hear from sponsors to help cover the costs associated with the after-surf barbeques and other activities.

More information can be found by contacting Wynne-Lewis at tim.wynne-lewis@bayleys.co.nz or Lee at andy.lee@bayleys.co.nz