'That First Glide' - Movie Premier

Hawaiian Extreme Waterman Mike Waltze is in Auckland next week for the New Zealand premier of his new Stand Up Paddle film, That First Glide, to screen with a special feature wrapping up the 2012 Hyundai Tour by Greenroom Productions.

That First Glide showcases the history of the world's fastest growing sport from its Hawaiian roots to the huge industry it has become today. It translates into words and images the sensation of gliding over the waves; that feeling of speed, flying, and oneness with the ocean that surfers have been chasing for more than 60 years, that has now become instantly accessible to millions more through Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP).

Starboard SUP International team rider and big wave surfer Campbell Farrell has teamed up with Hyundai New Zealand and Surfing New Zealand to bring That First Glide here. "New Zealander's have really embraced the sport," says Campbell. "The SUP surf and race scenes are developing strongly, and some of our top paddlers are doing incredibly well on the world stage. SUP is so well suited to us geographically in NZ, being surrounded by so much water, but I think the greatest appeal is that it really is so easy for everyone to enjoy. Be it on a beach, lake or river, now anyone can surf."

The film is screening at the Berkeley Takapuna on Wed 28 March, 7.15pm, and Mission Bay on Monday 2 April, 8pm. Tickets can be purchased online here. Those who purchase tickets before the 28th March 2012 are in to win a Starboard 9'8" Element SUP Board, which will be drawn at the film night.

About Mike Waltze: Mike Waltze knows the ocean well. For the past 30 years, Mike has dedicated his life to both Extreme Ocean Athletics, and Extreme Ocean Cinematography.

Mike, a five-time world champion of windsurfing, was the original pioneer of riding waves on "short sailboards". This trend literally transformed the sport of windsurfing and put Maui, Hawaii center stage on the map for extreme ocean sports in the early 80's. This led the sleepy island of Maui into a 20 year cycle of innovation that to this day, has not stopped churning out new sports by extremely innovative watermen. These athletes, who all moved to Maui to pursue the extreme windsurfing conditions of Hookipa, became friends and began pursuing other interests on the North shore of Maui. Their first endeavor was to windsurf at Peahi, Jaws, a break that had never been ridden because of it's extreme size and conditions. Next they used foot-straps on surfboards, and a tow-rope and jet ski to catch these giant waves. Click here to opt-out