Trans Tasman Surf Boat Challenge Programme

WELcOME from our NZ President
SLSNZ is excited to see the return of the Trans-Tasman Surf Boat
Challenge after disruption over the last few years.
We welcome the Australian crews to beautiful Waihi Beach and
congratulate the NZ crews on their selection for this Challenge.
I’ll be there amongst the crowd to see the skills and fitness of both
the Open and U23 crews and cheer everyone on. As an old surf
boatie, although we didn’t have formal competitions then, I’m
especially pleased to see the growth in women’s surf boat racing.
Bring the competition, surf and weather on.
Event HISTORY
Marilyn Moffatt MNZM
President, SLSNZ
It was a dream of Waihi Beach Surf Boat legend Dan Harris QSM
to bring a special boating event to Waihi Beach. North Island Surf
Boat Champs came to be through sheer hard work and a lot of
hours behind the scenes, complete with its own medals, annual
t-shirts and awesome burgers for all competitors.
Driven by a vision shared with like-minded boaties to create a
competition series just for surf boats, North Island Surf Boats
became one of the key events in the Summer Surf Boat Series.
Earlier this season, Dan was present for
the launch of Waihi Beach’s latest Surf
Boat, aptly named “The Dan Harris”
which included a blessing from local iwi
kaitiaki Reon Tuanau of Ngāi Te Rangi
and a lovely speech by Dan’s daughter,
Janine O’Connor.
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