Swapping paddocks for the ocean wasn’t on the radar of Taranaki farmer Leighton Ritchie until his wife signed him up for Surfing for Farmers.
It’s now become the highlight of his week. Between November and April, every Tuesday night, Leighton and his wife head down to Fitzroy Beach in New Plymouth and meet up with friends and local farmers to enjoy a few hours in the ocean.
“I’m still not much of a surfer to be honest, but it’s a lot of fun,” says Leighton, who milks 260 cows on 130ha near Inglewood “under the mountain, it’s a high altitude farm” with his son, Aaron.
“It’s as much the participating as the surfing that is beneficial. We milk early on a Tuesday so we can head down. My wife doesn’t surf but she comes with me and just enjoys the social side of it. It’s a chance for us to get off the farm and mix and mingle.”
Leighton says it’s a fantastic chance to detox mentally and let the worries of the farm “wash off”.
“When you’re out there trying to get on a surf board and stay on it, you can’t really think of much else. You’re focusing on what you’re trying to do rather than what’s gone on that day on the farm. I went through quite a bad patch of depression a few years ago and understand the importance of having interests outside the farm and getting away from the place,” he says.
“The support from the sponsors and the surf club has been phenomenal. They put a lot of effort in and share their passion and experience with us all. It wouldn’t happen without them. Plus we give them something to laugh at.”
Fonterra has supported Surfing for Farmers since its inception.
Started by real estate agent Stephen Thomson in Gisborne in 2018, interest in the initiative grew quickly. There are now 25 locations offering the 15-week programme with more than 8000 farmers and growers taking part. National Coordinator Sarah Shanks says farmers come back year-on-year to the programme. Through sponsorship, the initiative is free to farmers with all equipment (wetsuits, surfboards) and training provided, as well as a BBQ each week.
“There is a massive community connection. We’re finding that some farmers have become very capable surfers and have made surfing part of their lifestyle year-round. Some started off as complete novices and are now coaching other farmers in the programme. The whole point of the programme is just to turn up and have some time out. You don’t need to know how to surf – or even surf. We have just as many family members and friends on the beach each week as we have farmers out in the water,” says Sarah.
Surfing for Farmers runs until April in most locations. Farmers can attend casually any time – simply register at www.surfingforfarmers.com.