Proudly sponsoring Surfing for Farmers since 2018

Our Kiwi farmers and growers leave everything they have on the field, they give their all to support New Zealand’s economy and ensure we have access to the very best food and beverage. However, this does take a toll on their wellbeing and mental health. Helping farmers and growers take care of their mental health is as important to Ballance Agri-Nutrients as the health and safety of our own team, that’s why we are a founding partner of the Surfing for Farmers programme.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of New Zealand farmers is an important topic,” says Jason Minkhorst, GM Sales, Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

“When you consider all the factors that farmers deal with on a daily basis such as working remotely, animal welfare, financial pressure, consumer demands, media and lobby group commentary, long hours and weather events like drought, it is easy to understand why mental health is an issue in rural New Zealand.

“New Zealand farmers love what they do, but the number of people struggling with mental illness in rural areas is growing. Data shows the number of suicides in rural communities has remained unchanged for the last five years.”

Farmers are becoming more open about their mental health, however they still don't have enough support. The learn-to-surf programme provides an opportunity for farmers to step away from what can be an all-consuming business, get fresh air, exercise and interact with other farmers, rural families and industry professionals.

The Surfing for Farmers programme runs for approximately 13 weeks from December 2020, at 16 regional surf beaches around the country. Farmers are provided with surfing gear (wetsuits, surfboards), free lessons and a free barbeque where participants can swap surfing stories and have a general catch-up.

Check out the list of locations for one in your local area or go to the Surfing for Farmers Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/surfingforfarmers/. All a farmer needs to do is turn up!

Location	Kick off dates and time	Contact details
Northland - Sandy Bay	Wednesday 20th January 2021, runs for 8-10 weeks	Calvin Ball 027 223 2894 or Ryan Baxter 021 809 569
Pauanui - Top of Mt Vista	Every Monday from 7th December 10am - 12:30pm	Karl Davis 027 496 4633
Waihi Beach - North end surf club	Tuesday 1st December Tuesday 5:30pm	Mike Meade 027 659 0661
Mt Maunganui -Corner of Banks and Marine Parade	Every Thursday 10th December 5:30pm	Geoff Waite 027 601 4444 or Sarah Hickey 027 554 9257
Ohope - West end	Tuesday 1st December 5:30pm	Phil Williams 027 499 5605 or Oliver Dobbin 021 149 1972
Kaiaua Beach	Friday 27th November, 18th December 5:30pm + 2021 TBC	Matt Jefferd 027 499 9205
Gisborne - Midway Beach surf club	8th of December 5:30pm	Stephen Thomson 021 450 6531
Taranaki - Fitzroy Beach	Every Tuesday from 1st December 5:30pm then 12th Jan until the end of summer	Mark Dwyer 021 528 263 or Dean File 021 544 364
Northern Hawkes Bay - Waimarama Beach	December 10th at 4pm – one session before Christmas Beginning again on Jan 21st and then every second Thursday, same time and location	Tim Wynne-Lewis 027 488 9719
Central Hawkes Bay- Porangahau Beach Pourerere Beach	Thursday 17th December 4pm Tuesday 22nd December 4pm Starting again every second Wednesday from 27th Jan 4pm at Porangahau beach 10th February 4pm at Pourerere Beach	Andy Lee 027 354 8608
Wairarapa- Riversdale Beach surf club	Every Thursday from 3rd December 6pm	Amanda Bowie 027 747 4011
Sumner beach	Every Tuesday from 17th November 6:15pm	Sandra Taylor 021 151 8685
North Canterbury, Gore Bay	Every Thursday from 19th November 6pm	James Northcote 027 216 6822
Oamaru - Campbells Bay, Kakanui beach	Every Wednesday from 9th December 6:00pm	Alfie Broughton 021 247 8542
Colac Bay, Riverton Rock	6pm Thursday 10th, 17th December then every Thursday from the 14th of January	Leo Pekar 027 211 1389 or Tom Slee 021 027 29896 or Jess Terrill 027 864 7230

Surfing for Farmers event