Paul Shanks President

Started surfing early 60’s at Whangamata (where the family batch was) and growing up in west Auckland the local surfbreaks were Piha and Karekare. Started working in the surfboard industry for Brian at Weaver surfboards in the late 60’s. The first surfboard I ever shaped was in 1971, a 6foot 8inch rounded pin. Started own surf company in 1972, Tubecruser based in Glen Eden. Moved to Whangamata in 1975 starting Natural Balance with Kingsly Kernoski. Restarted Tubecruser in 1982. In 1998 began using new materials to make surfboards, starting Special Forces Surfboards. Surfed competively from 1969 to 1979, representing New Zealand 3 times. W on New Zealand Senior Men’s title in 1990. Coached surfing from 1990 to 2002 including winning a national scholastic teams title. Married to Jan, daughters Amber, Heidi, Samara. Surfing whanau. Drawn into the political arena in 1997 over the issues of waterquality and the territorial rights of established surfbreaks. Currently President of Whangamata Boardriders and a foundation member and President of Surfbreak Protection Incorporated Society. No reira, tenea koutou, tena koutou katoa.

Mike Gunson

Agog with the sport as a wee nipper in Dunedin( does anybody remember the TV show “Surf’s Up” ?) in the sixties watching my older brother surf, started out as a kid on a skellerup flutter board, by this time as a ten year old, I lived at Breaker Bay, the heaviest wave in welly I hooked into surfing proper early in ’73, never stopped or looked back, surfing became my compulsive obsession( or obsessive compulsion??), helped me escape the repercussions – frustrations of a military family. Typical surfer – drifter, found work to augment my surfing addiction as a cab driver, which meant surf when I want, even with kids to feed. Love surfing the Wairarapa when I get the chance. Now I live with my Daughter and Son in one of the windiest spots in Wgtn, Watching over these rugged harbour heads. I also love playing Chess. Want to play? Over the years I have witnessed the Council, airport authority, and Harbours Department make substantial changes to Lyall Bay, modifying the wall, car parks, and placing jet ski free style areas. all done with either little no consultation with the Surfing community, or even worse, completely rolling right over us. Mind you this is mostly our fault, as a tribe, we are not organised…Until now! I attended the Mountains to Sea conference hosted by DOC representing the Surfbreak Protection Society just several weeks before we had incorporated! Out of 200 plus user groups at the conference I was the only one representing Surfing. I put forward a recommendation that area’s of high value or heritage sites to certain user groups be recognised by DOC, and given stakeholder status, this was readily accepted, and now with our SPS submission on the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement being accepted in draft form, we are well on the way to protecting our Taonga. Although we have already lost a few, but now it is up to you, we have built the foundation, join us, become a kaitiaki, guardian, of our coastline, our playgrounds. We need a strong national surfing advocacy group like the Surf Break Protection Society to speak up on our behalf. My personal blogg site is http://au.geocities.com/the_p_i_guy/index.htm the information in the Timline on this site is correct but the comment is my opinion, and does not reflect that of the Surfbreak committee in any way

Monique Davis Secretary

Picked up the surfing bug when living in France in the early 80s. Got involved in the surfing club scene when moving to Piha, NZ in 1983, firstly as a committee member of the former Waitemata Surfing Association and subsequently through involvement with the development of women’s surfing and junior surfing in NZ. Interests are in politics, journalism and environmentalism. Waitakere Community Board member and a secondary school language teacher. Editor of the Piha Community News for 17 years and founding member, amongst other, of the Wildcoast Boardriders Club and now the Surfbreak Protection Society. Said to be efficient and organised, but her ‘office’ in the lounge more resembles Waimea Bay after a massive clean up set…. Says Monique: “The Surfbreak Protection Society means a lot to me as it combines my interests and experience in politics with my passion for surfing and the environment. It’s great to be involved in such an important organisation to help safeguard surfbreaks for future generations.”

Vicki Smith Treasurer

I grew up in Australia but have lived in NZ for many years. Have lived on the coast for the last 14 years. Although I don’t surf, my husband and my 2 sons do. I very much love the coastal environment and believe there is a great need to protect it from over development and pollution. Living in the Whangamata area, I heard about Surfbreak Protection Society because of the issues surrounding the proposed marina. I have since learned of many other issues all over the country affecting coastal communities. I am amazed by the enthusiasm and commitment of the members of this organisation and hope that many more people will join to contribute to their efforts and support these dedicated people.

Allen Pidwell

My Cornish Ancestors disembarked from the Bengal Tiger at Petone in February 1840 so my family has a big stake in this land. Started out as a Clubbie in 1957 and built my first Mal in 1962 – hooked ever since. Secretary of the Wanganui Surf Riding Club 1964 to 1984. Secretary New Plymouth Surf Rider’s Club 2005 to present – and Editor of their newsletter “LINEUP” since 2004. Now retired, gained heaps of experience dealing with international corporates in my previous life and during the eighties while involved in rafting with my family has prepared submissions to Govt on protection of several rivers such as the Rangitikei, Motu and Whanganui. Now passionately involved in getting Govt and Territorial Authorities to understand that surf breaks are virtually irreplaceable assets and must be protected. Recently had success with submissions to the New Plymouth District Council on their new Coastal Management Strategy and Coastal Reserves Management Plan. Found that Surf Break Protection is an ideal way in being able to project a national voice of advocacy.

David Storck

I first surfed out of the whitewater onto the green part of a wave in Whangamata in 1969. I was hooked. I gave up playing rugby to immerse myself in my new-found passion. This was usually at Piha as our family home was in Auckland. Eventually, I managed to buy a section at Piha with a view of ‘Piha bar’ and build a house where I live now. Going to University excited me due to the surfing time allowed during the long holidays. I completed a Law Degree at Auckland University (having several ‘Big OE’ years off in the process) and, quite a few years later, a Master’s Degree in Commercial Law. I have worked in a variety of law firms (including locum work and my own legal practice) and I have held a Practicing Certificate in Law for 22 years. (Including two years in the Turks & Caicos Islands in the Caribbean.) I have also taught Commercial Law at both Auckland University of Technology and Unitec off and on part-time for the last 10 years. My surfing adventures have taken me to over 20 countries and have included surfing a standing wave on a river in Munich and surfing the Severn river bore in the UK. In 1996 I organised (with help from many others) the Roaring 40s Surf Event at Piha. This social event and surf contest for surf enthusiasts 40 and over and their families has been repeated 9 times since and is now, due to its popularity, limited to 90 entries per year. I am the 2006 Roaring 40’s Over 50’s Shortboard Division title holder and a previous Over 40’s Shortboard Division title holder. (And three times winner of the fancy dress event!) I am also the 2006 New Zealand Hyundai Longboard Series Over 50s Division title holder. I have seen the demise of the Piha bar out of my windows over the last 10 years (I am still unclear as to what happened there!) and I am saddened by the loss of the Omaha Bar (due to development) where I had many great surfs on those big easterly swells during my varsity days. David Storck

Peter Windsor

Been surfing since the Sixties, out of the west side of Wellington, Titahi Bay to be precise. Been in a variety of positions from chair, treasurer, vice and president, either local, regional or national. One of the original creators of the NZ Scholastic system, also the mover of NZ surfboard riders ( now SNZ ) to go legal. As long as this new society keeps it aim on the purpose, that is to protect the surfing arenas', both popular and not so popular, and empower the people who do follow. I trust, as other normal surfers will, to endorse and support the direction of this group. As the surfing scene increases so does the population which depletes the resources, more so the access. This is "paramount" for the average Kiwi, to maintain normal access to the site where the waves explode, upon Aotearoa; to be ridden. Tena Katou.

Peter Furze

I am one of the second wave of NZ surfers having been surfing now for 44 years (yes ! old fart), started at Taylors Mistake on a 10' marine ply board in the early 60's and never looked back. Boat builder by trade, now specializing in marine coatings. Worked through the usual cororate ladders @ Fletchers, Epiglass etc, Waitemata City Councillor for 6 years with Tim Shadbolt and Gary Taylor. This carreer path has taught me that everyone pulls their pants on one leg at a time and that arrogance is the biggest sin in this country.That includes the arrogance of those who wish to change our coastlines for their own selfish purposes. I am privilaged to chair the "membership sub-committee" with such legends as "wayne parkes, phil jamieson, al ashworth, geoff dobson, phil hoare and mike mcglynn, our aim is to get all surfers's reading off the same page, collectively we are a force of nature like the waves we ride. Above all though , I want us to have some fun along the way, catch up on all those waves i missed over the years, and help protect our surfbreaks for all future generations.This is a legacy that all us surfers must leave behind." To all those "surfer activists" who have gone before us, Thank you !

Winston Pond

Thanks to the guys at Surfline, I was recently re-united with my 1964 Atlas Woods. I think we are now both a bit heavier and perhaps slightly worse for wear - but together we can still make it out the back. And wrapped up in both of us are many great memories and experiences. It is these that make me keen to contribute to the development and success of the Society. I believe that in this part of the world we have learnt enough about what makes for good health and fulfilment to value all the natural assets that New Zealand has. Because of my love of surfing, I am very happy to make my contribution to protecting these assets down ‘on the beach’. I want to see all surfers, now and forever, able to access and enjoy what I have over the last forty plus years. To that end I am happy to apply the skills and knowledge I have gained as an organisation development consultant to helping build an effective and credible Society – an organisation that is street-wise in the issues it picks up to champion and one that provides savvy and assistance to local groups who take up local issues. Apart from our surf and sand focus, we are working to the same ends as many other Aotearoa New Zealand conservation groups, so networking and collaboration will be important activities for the Society. To be effective we will need a strong lobbying muscle – to that end we need a large membership base. Building this will be a key activity as we build momentum. We must aim to build a presence on the beach and in the boardroom. Kia kaha!

Grant McIntosh

Grant McIntosh started surfing Whangamata and around Port Waikato in the late 60’s. He is now a (mature) student doing Environmental Management. Has a particular interest in communally owned land and assets such as Maori Land and Public Land. Surfing is of interest as it takes place only on Public Land (foreshore and seabed), thus surfers are at the mercy of Public Authorities who administer that space.