The Star: March 14, 2024

The Star Thursday March 14 2024
10
NEWS
• By Bella Craig
NEW ZEALAND’S first
surfboard library is putting out
the call for your munted old
board.
The Goat Shed – a non-profit
run by volunteers in Sumner –
reshapes and fixes the boards so
they are good as new.
Surfers with any level of experience
are then allowed to borrow
the boards for free, as long as they
are returned.
In a converted backyard garage,
secured with a rusted corrugated
iron door, The Goat Shed is
dusted with sand, fibreglass and
surfboard wax.
Boards of all shapes, sizes and
colours fill the shed, along with
the musty smell of damp wetsuits.
“One of the biggest missions
from the surfboard library, is
actually just to bring more stoke
into surfing. Stop surfing, just
enjoy, have fun instead of creating
a competition,” says co-founder
Lucas Sampaio.
Sampaio and Carlos Alonso
built the library during the 2020
lockdown, and later opened it up
to their community in Sumner.
With an average cost of $1000-
$1500, most boards are placed in
cardboard boxes before they are
sold, so people do not have the
opportunity to feel their shape
first.
But The Goat Shed offers a
range of different boards so
surfers can try before they buy,
which Sampaio said was a huge
help to his customers.
“Do you need an extra board for
bigger waves? Just come and grab
one for the week. Do you need
a board just for small waves or a
longboard? Come and grab one.
“There are different styles of
surfing that maybe most people
can’t try. They need to buy one, or
buy five different boards to experience
five different waves or five
different styles.”
Sustainability was also important
to Sampaio and the team.
“The surf industry is built like
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Library breathing new life into old boards
SURF’S UP: Boards of all
shapes, sizes and colours
fill the Goat Shed, which is
also offering an opportunity
to learn the craft of board
shaping. PHOTOS: RNZ
any other big industry corporation
– products break, they go to
the rubbish and nobody repairs
them.
“But the way we’re doing it,
we’re actually building stronger
surfboards, which hopefully any
individual can use and we repair
them as well.”
The Sumner Community
Residents Association helped the
project to get off the ground with
financial support. However, the
majority of funding has come
from Sampaio and Alonso’s own
pockets.
But Sampaio said the expense
was worth it.
“I think every town in New
Zealand deserves a surfboard
library. There is a lot of people
who don’t have the capacity to
have surfboards and ability to go
in the water.
“It’s definitely something
anybody benefits from, mentally
and physically, the water washes
everything away.
“There are a lot of people who
possibly would like to try this
sport, which is an amazing way to
get with nature, and they can’t.”
The Goat Shed also offers custom
board shaping and surfboard
repairs for a small donation.
Liam Coleman volunteers his
time to shape boards at the shed,
which he reckoned was bringing
the surfing community closer
together.
“The thing I see for The Goat
Shed is about bringing in more
of the community – the kids, the
surf team, the local surfers - into
this space.”
The shed also offered potential
board shapers an opportunity to
learn the craft.
“It’s all about the community
side of engaging people, giving
them a hobby, giving them
something to do.”
Surfing New Zealand chief
executive Ben Kennings said surf
breaks across the country have
never been busier and libraries
like The Goat Shed allowed people
of different demographics to
be able to surf.
“Anytime you can upcycle a
surfboard or pass it down to a
younger surfer and get it re-used
is an awesome initiative, one for
the environment and two, just to
provide equipment.
“Something which can be
quite expensive to someone can
then give surfing a go at a much
cheaper price or free if its a surfboard
library.”
The Goat Shed is open
Wednesdays and Thursdays
from 4-6pm and anyone with a
dusty old board under the house
is invited to bring it along, where
it can be restored and given a
second life.
– RNZ
RecoveR youR loved fuRnituRe
On time,
friendly,
professional
We get the job done.
Plumbing | Electrical | Gasfitting | Drainlaying
Quality furniture
specialists
100s of fabrics to
choose from
www.qualityfurniture.co.nz
Hours: Mon - Thurs, 7am - 4.30pm, Fri 8am - Midday,
or by appointment with Keith 027 566 3909
Book your job or free quote today
24/7
Ph 0800 30 35 30 foleys.co.nz
SERVICE
424 ST ASAPH STREET PH 371 7500
RE-UPHOLSTERY SPECIALISTS KEITH HARTSHORNE 0275 663 909
20 %
Come in and see us today at
your local Resene ColorShop!
Resene Premium Paints,
Wood Stains, Wallpaper,
Decorating Accessories
and Cleaning Products!
or shop online at shop.resene.co.nz
Discounts off the normal retail price of Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers, sealers,
wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products until 9 April 2024. Available only at
Resene owned ColorShops and participating resellers. Paint offer also available at participating
Mitre 10 MEGA and selected Mitre 10 stores. Valid only with cash/credit card/EFTPOS purchases.
Not available in conjunction with account sales, promotional vouchers/coupons or other offers.
Excludes trade, ECS, WallPrint, wall decals, Crown products and PaintWise levy.