For over 20 years, the club has supported people of all ages to enjoy surfing.
According to treasurer Kyle Williams, Lion Rock Boardriders is very much a family club. ‘We have mums, dads, and even grandparents who surf,’ he says. Kyle adds that competitive members range in age from 5 right up to 70.
And Lion Rock Boardriders has something for everyone, from novices to competitive surfers. The club has had several notable achievements, coming third overall at the recent National Surfing Championships in Westport. Two club members competed in the NZ Junior Surfing Team at the ISA World Championships in El Salvador. And club members currently hold the men’s over 60s and women’s over 45 national titles.
Over the years, the club has hosted many high-profile events, including the NZ National Surfing Championships and the Auckland Surfing Championships.
As a sport, surfing is growing in popularity across the country. And Lion Rock Boardriders has also seen a surge in interest. Despite a tough couple of years due to Covid, the club is back on track with introductory sessions and elite training in demand.
And thanks to the Your West Support Fund, club members and competitors can shelter from the elements in a brand-new gazebo.
Whether baking hot sun or strong winds, the high-strength gazebo offers shelter and a central hub to talk, share and learn from other surfers. Fully portable, it can be packed up and moved as conditions change so members can catch that perfect wave. ‘Our old gazebo was ready for retirement,’ explains Kyle. He says the new one will make an enormous difference.
The club has a packed schedule of events every year. ‘Last summer alone, we ran 11 club contests involving over 90 competitors,’ Kyle reports. The gazebo provides a community focal point as those competitors take time out between sessions.
And with the club offering weekly training throughout the year, the new shelter will also be in demand during the cooler winter.
Kyle says the pandemic has impacted club finances, with many fundraising events cancelled. The club is committed to keeping membership costs as low as possible so that more people can participate.
Summer is just around the corner, and Kyle says the help of the Your West Support Fund has come at just the right time. So, whether you are a pro surfer or a beginner, head down to Piha’s Lion Rock Boardriders and join in the fun.