Ben Kennings – Chief Executive
Ben Kennings has been with Surfing New Zealand since 2003 managing events and communications. Having surfed since the age of five and competed regularly up until this day, Ben has a huge love for the sport and continues to seek better opportunities for the surfing community and athletes.
Ben was a voluntary member of the SNZ Board as the athletes representative from 2000 – 2003 before being employed full time. Ben attended Waikato University where he gained a degree in Science and also previously worked in the resource and environmental planning sector.
Mobile: 0212278732
Email:benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz
Lee Ryan – Sport Development Manager
Lee immigrated to New Zealand from the U.K. in 2006, where he worked for the British Surfing Association as an Instructor Trainer/Assessor. A former competitive surfer on both short and longboards, Lee competed as a full-time professional on the ASP (WSL) World Longboard Tour from 1995 to 2006 as well as having nine British National Titles to his name.
Lee is a well-respected WSL and ISA judge with over 30 years experience and is head judge for the NZ Longboard Tour. Lee has a Certificate in Sport Coaching from the Waikato Institute of Sport. Lee delivers the International Surfing Association (ISA) Judging and Coaching Programs and manages the SNZ Approved Surf Schools. Lee is also the National Convener for New Zealand representative teams. Lee manages the award-winning Wave Warriors Junior Surfing Programme.
Email: lee.ryan@surfingnz.co.nz
Dan Westerkamp – Event and Projects Co-Ordinator
Dan Westerkamp has a passion for growing surfing at a grassroots level. He became a qualified ISA surf instructor in 2013 where he volunteered at Surfing New Zealand’s Wave Warriors Have A Go Days. Since then, Dan has worked eight consecutive seasons alongside Lee Ryan as the head coach for the award-winning programme.
Dan is a respected judge on the Surfing NZ panel. Attending Auckland University of Technology, Dan earned his Bachelors of Sport and Recreation. He manages our social media and event planning.
