Latest News

Surfing for Farmers – The perfect break returns for summer

Surfing for Farmers – The perfect break returns for summer

A surf therapy initiative helping improve mental health and wellbeing in New Zealand rural communities is returning to beaches across the country.

Surfing for Farmers, now a registered charity, returns to 27 locations this summer.

Launched in Gisborne in 2018 by Stephen Thomson, Surfing for Farmer is now run by fellow board members Geoff Waite and Sarah Hickey. This year the board has appointed national coordinator Sarah Shanks and has the help of many volunteers who give up their time to lead their local regions. Thousands of farmers around the country have taken part in the initiative since starting.

The Surfing for Farmers programme allows farmers and growers to step away from an all-consuming business by getting out on the water for a surf, enjoying a BBQ and sharing stories with others in the rural community. All equipment and coaching are free of charge.

Chairman Stephen Thomson says, "it's fantastic to see the growth of Surfing for Farmers. As season five approaches, we are pumped to get this summer off the ground and the rural community out there surfing.
'We struggled at times last year. A combination of growing pains, poor weather and covid upset most locations at some point. However, the satisfaction of seeing farmers grinning from ear to ear as they come in from surfing is our driver to do it all again, bigger and better".

Our sponsorship fund continues to grow thanks to hundreds of local businesses all around New Zealand. The sponsors want to help us expand throughout their regions as they see the benefits of Surfing for Farmers. We cannot thank you enough.

The Surfing for Farmers initiative is supported by premium sponsors Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Bayleys, NZ Beef & Lamb, Jarden and Rabobank.

"Surfing for Farmers is for everyone. We hope to see our regulars back again and look forward to new participants coming along and joining in on the buzz”, says Stephen Thomson.

Surfing for Farmers will be at the following locations.

To register for the season, complete this form

For more information, click here.

Previous Article Asking for help shouldn’t be the hardest thing we do in life, says Otago Federated Farmers' Luke Kane.
Next Article How you can lower your risk of bowel cancer
Print
9070

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Message:
x

More news...

Farm Without Harm - Safety Conversatons

Farm Without Harm - Safety Conversatons

September 2023 -  Up Our Game Workshop was on having good safety conversations. A key insight from this session was that health and safety is the outcome of great work. As panelist and farmer, Becs Dondertman, said “if we plan well and execute well, we have a safe work environment.”
September 28, 2023 0 Comments
Taranaki Rural Support Trust Facilitator & Dairy Farmer Belinda Price talks to REX (podcast)

Taranaki Rural Support Trust Facilitator & Dairy Farmer Belinda Price talks to REX (podcast)

Belinda shares her peronsal struggles with mental wellbeing, giving back via the Rural Support Trust, juggling the farm, kids, school holidays and finsihing off her 2021 Fonterra Dairy Women of the Year scholarship.

September 25, 2023 0 Comments
NZ Young Farmers and Rural Support Trust join forces to enhance wellbeing

NZ Young Farmers and Rural Support Trust join forces to enhance wellbeing

Rural Support Trust (RST) and New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their collaborative efforts in supporting and empowering rural communities across New Zealand.

September 25, 2023 0 Comments
Dairy Women's Network - Navigating Dairy's New Landscape: 7 Steps to Surviving the Payout Challenge

Dairy Women's Network - Navigating Dairy's New Landscape: 7 Steps to Surviving the Payout Challenge

The dairy industry has been under immense pressure over the last 18 months and has faced challenges on many fronts including compliance and increased costs such as feed, fertilizer and fuel. The announcement of a drop in this season’s forecast payout could be the biggest challenge that farmers face over the next period of time.

September 20, 2023 0 Comments
Feed for Thought Podcast with Pioneer Brand Product hosts Ian Williams and Matte Kirk

Feed for Thought Podcast with Pioneer Brand Product hosts Ian Williams and Matte Kirk

Listen to their catch up with Mike Green who explains what the RST does in your community

September 20, 2023 0 Comments
Treat yourself like you would a broken tractor, says Rural Support Trust

Treat yourself like you would a broken tractor, says Rural Support Trust

Ease up and take one step at a time' is one piece of advice to farmers and growers suffering after calamitous weather this year. People struggling with their mental health often try to work harder, hoping that will relieve the pressure, says Rural Support Taranaki chair...
September 18, 2023 0 Comments
High stress in rural NZ

High stress in rural NZ

Rural Support Trusts around the country are having to significantly increase their staff to deal with growing stress in rural areas in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle and other adverse weather events.

Tending to mental health on farm -

Tending to mental health on farm -

Farmers Weekly In Focus podcast with Bryan Gibson - 20 minutes

Five Ways, Five Days – Make it happen for you!

Five Ways, Five Days – Make it happen for you!

Just like physical health, we all need to actively look after our mental health. Mental Health Awareness week (18-24 September) is run each year by the Mental Health Foundation.  

Rural Support Trust NZ

With thanks to our principal sponsors
 
Thanks to our Time Out Tour partners