Pāpāmoa Beach is set to become the focal point of Longboard surfing once again in February with the New Zealand Festival of Longboarding taking place on Saturday and Sunday February 17-18 February.

Top competitors from around the country will compete over the two days with New Zealand Longboard Team Selection on the line.  

Following the event, the Open Men and Women Champions will then head to El Salvador as part of the New Zealand Longboard Team to surf at the ISA World Longboard Championship to be held at the world renowned El Sunzal from April 18-25.

The last time New Zealand surfed in this event the team placed 17th.

Christchurch surfer and National Champion Jack Tyro will be unavailable for the event due to international commitments therefore it will be Zen Wallis of Piha amongst a horde of others who will make a play for the title and qualification into the New Zealand Longboarding team.

Longboarding action will take place at Pāpāmoa Domain from 8am – 4pm daily on Saturday and Sunday, February 17-18. Photo: Surfing New Zealand.

The New Zealand Festival of Longboarding sees a number of faces old and new appear with the likes of Dan Croskery, Daniel Procter, Phil Morris, and ex National champion Thomas Kibblewhite, Matt Cockayne and Steve Morris have also confirmed their attendance, supporting the development and growth of longboarding in New Zealand.

"I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone at the Festival," says a Morris Surfboards spokesperson.

"The Morris brand has a long history with the New Zealand longboard community and it’s great to be able to support the event and those competing by sponsoring the Over 40’s Division."

Not to be missed will be a hotly contested junior division with the C-Skins Wetsuits Under 18 Boys and Neufound Eyewear Under 18 women’s division an opportunity for up-and-coming talent to show their style in the longboard friendly waves of Pāpāmoa.

“I’m excited to be hosting this new event at my local beach. It’s going to be an epic weekend," says professional ISA/WSL Longboard judge, Surfing New Zealand Development Manager and former WSL Longboarding World Tour competitor Lee Ryan.

Notable names in the longboard community however not often seen in the competitive scene that will also be attending include Matt Newdick, Hugh Ritchie, Natt Fitt, Ollie Le Noel as well as young groms Taj Robinson and Aki Reid.

The New Zealand Festival of Longboarding also provides opportunities for the older male surfers keen to compete with the Morris Surfboards Over 40s , Pineline Surf fins Over 50s and Tasman Holiday Parks Over 60s Divisions.

The women will also have the opportunity to show their talent during the weekend with the Switch Stance Surf & Skate Over 40s Division, Alt Surf Works Over 50s division, Beach Bar over 60s and Emroce Swimwear Open womens.

With New Zealand team qualification also on the line for the women this will be the longboarding event of the year and one not to be missed.

Longboarding action will take place at Pāpāmoa Domain from 8am – 4pm daily on Saturday and Sunday, February 17-18. Photo: Surfing New Zealand.

Lucy Macefield from Christchurch will lead the females at the event after winning the National Championship title in both the Open Women’s and Junior Women’s Longboard Division.

“This event is well overdue for The Doey! [Pāpāmoa Domain] The longboard scene is huge along the BOP coast but also NZ, so being part of this event is going to be epic," says Switch Stance Surf and Skate Owner Shelley Jones.

“As a female owner of a small surf and skate shop, and being a competitive surfer, it was a no brainer to sponsor a women's division. I love giving back to the sport that has given me so much enjoyment for over 30 years now, we can't wait.” 

In what is always a crowd favourite the coveted Defy Clothing Old Mal Division will also return to the competition scene with 12 spaces available for Old Mal enthusiasts in a 30-minute expression session.

Action will take place at Pāpāmoa Domain from 8am – 4pm daily on Saturday and Sunday.

Accommodation partner Tasman Holiday Parks – Pāpāmoa is providing accomodation for people wanting to stay to check out all the action. 

Event details: Please visit Liveheats.com for live scores  https://liveheats.com/events/194186