Surfers invited to workshops

Local surfers have been invited to workshops in Mount Maunganui and Whakatāne this week to talk about their favourite surf breaks and what makes them important.

The workshops will be held at Mount Maunganui surf club on Wednesday, 12 January from 6.30pm to 8pm and Bay of Plenty Regional Council offices in Whakatāne on Thursday, 13 January from 6.30pm to 8pm. The information is being gathered as part of a study to identify the Bay’s important surf breaks.

The study, which is being conducted in partnership with Bay of Plenty Regional Council, aims to increase understanding about the value of all types of recreation activities associated with surf breaks and where those values may be threatened by other uses of the coast.

While the best of the country’s surf breaks have been protected under law in the recent New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, no Bay of Plenty surf breaks are currently included.

Bailey Peryman from Lincoln University, who is working on the research, said the study was an opportunity to better understand the place of surf breaks in the Bay.

“We need the help of local surfers to understand the values and issues associated with surf breaks, which are part of the natural character of the coast.”

Surfers with local knowledge could give feedback on the issues facing iconic surf breaks, and the information would be developed into a guide to how the effects of development on surf breaks could be assessed.

“The study aims to get surfers and all beach goers thinking about the processes and dynamics that make our coastal environment. Raising awareness about coastal policy and defining people’s values can help everyone take some responsibility for their own patch,” he said.