For immediate release
13th February 2025
From: Surfing New Zealand
Sport: Surfing
Event: 2025 A1 Homes New Zealand Festival of Longboarding
Location: Papamoa Beach, The Domain, Bay of Plenty
Event Info: Surfing New Zealand
A1homes NZ Festival of Longboarding hits Papamoa this weekend
Papamoa Beach will see the return of the A1homes New Zealand Festival of Longboarding this weekend with the event set to bring together the surfing community for a fun filled weekend (15-16 February) of surfing.
Coupled with a focus on participation and enjoying what the Bay of Plenty coastline has to offer, the event doubles as a selection event for the New Zealand Longboarding Team with the representative opportunity set to attract our top talent.
Defending champions Matt Newdick (Auck) and Hannah Kohn (Gis) have confirmed their attendance at this year’s edition of the event hoping to repeat their performances of 2024. The two surfers went on to represent New Zealand at the World Championships last year alongside Jack Tyro (Chch) and Gabi Paul (Piha).
Paul will also make her presence felt at Papamoa however, newly minted Men’s Longboard Champion Tyro will be absent from the event while he competes in Australia.
The A1homes New Zealand Festival of Longboarding offers divisions ranging from Under 18 Boys and Girls through to Over 60s as well as the popular Old Mal Division. Over 100 entries are expected for the event which forms part of the New Zealand Longboard Series.
The New Zealand Longboard Series comprises six events including the National Championships held in Taranaki earlier this month, the Gathering of Stoke in Gisborne, the Ray White Duke Festival of Surfing, South Island Championships and the Exit Surf Men’s Canterbury Champs and Women’s Canterbury Championships.
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 25 April – 1st of May.
The New Zealand Festival of Longboarding sees a number of faces old and new appear with the likes of Phil Morris, and ex National champion Thomas Kibblewhite. Matt Cockayne has also confirmed his attendance, supporting the development and growth of longboarding in New Zealand.
Action will take place at Papamoa Domain from 8am – 4pm daily on Saturday and Sunday.
2025 marks the introduction of new partners A1homes who support a number of community-based initiatives around the country. As a nationwide company they are stoked to keep it Kiwi and partner with the domestic longboarding festival and they look forward to hosting everyone and embracing a great weekend of action.
“A1homes is a proud New Zealand-owned and operated company that’s all about keeping it Kiwi, providing a homegrown solution for your first home, second home or even your home away from home – supporting local people, products and events,” commented Doug Adsett of A1homes.
2025 also marks a new partnership with Tauranga City Council across Surfing New Zealand’s two Bay of Plenty events,
Action will take place at Papamoa Domain from 8am – 5pm daily on Saturday and Sunday. All heat draws and scheduling plus live scoring can be viewed on Live Heats.
Further Information
For further information on the 2025 A1homes New Zealand Festival of Longboarding please contact Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.
Imagery
High resolution action images of the surfing at the event will be available to media free of charge.
Partners
The A1homes New Zealand Festival of Longboarding is proud to partner with A1homes, Tauranga City Council, Four Winds and Papamoa Boardriders to make this event possible.
Follow the event
Follow the action via all social media platforms – @surfingnz across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Surfing New Zealand are proudly partnered by:
ACC
Sport NZ
Sun Bum
Cookie Time, OSM and Bumper
Ends
