\u201cP\u0101p\u0101moa Beach is a beautiful spot, and for many people this will be the ideal way to spend their Waitangi Weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kennings said Aotearoa has more than 300,000 recreational surfers.<\/p>\n
Events like the Festival of Longboarding played an important role in connecting the community and introducing people to the sport, he said.<\/p>\n
Kennings encouraged Kiwis to give the sport a go, but said they needed to make sure they surfed at their skill level.<\/p>\n
Mount Maunganui’s Jaxon Willows.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurfing is awesome, but we need to acknowledge our sport does have its dangers. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about knowing how to minimise the risks, and that comes with experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2025, ACC accepted almost 6000 surfing-related injury claims, which came at a cost of over $15 million to help people recover.<\/p>\n
Last year, the compensation scheme accepted 810 surfing-related injury claims in the Bay of Plenty, which cost $2.4m to help people recover.<\/p>\n
ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker, also a passionate surfer, said this weekend was a good mix of a bit of fun and serious competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all love longboarding, and it\u2019s a great opportunity to connect with the surfing community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whitaker said anyone who enters the surf needs to respect the ocean.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ocean is beautiful and provides a lot of joy \u2013 but it\u2019s also bigger and more powerful than any of us and needs to be respected.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve surfed around Aotearoa for over 30 years, and I\u2019m still humbled by some of the situations I find myself in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whitaker said the best way to stay safe in the surf was to take a moment before getting stuck in.<\/p>\n
\u201cMonitor the conditions and the risks before you get out there, and then take the safest options. If you\u2019re in doubt, finding something else to do might be the best option.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tips for staying safe in the waves:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Check it before you charge it \u2013 take it easy on your first rides until you\u2019ve worked out how shallow it is and identified any other hazards (crowd, close-out sections, etc)<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Surf in conditions that match your ability \u2013 if in doubt, don\u2019t go out<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Give others plenty of room \u2013 if they\u2019re up and riding, leave them to it<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Always wear a leg rope<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Stay with your board \u2013 it\u2019s an awesome flotation device<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Cover your head when you fall off \u2013 it happens to everyone, regardless of ability, so it pays to do what you can to prevent head knocks, cuts and concussion.<\/p>\n
The 2026 New Zealand Festival of Longboarding:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Where: P\u0101p\u0101moa Domain, Tauranga<\/p>\n
\u00b7 When: February 7 -8<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Who: Longboarding Open Men, Open Women, Seniors, U18, Old Mal<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Supported by Mount Longboards and Mojo Handshapes<\/p>\n
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