Surf fundraising ball postponed

BLACK TIE: Papamoa lifeguard Justin Pickering suits up for the inaugural Surf Ball later this month. PHOTO/JAMIE TROUGHTON/DSCRIBE MEDIA SERVICES

12.45pm: The Surf Ball set for this Saturday has been postponed until the end of the surf season.

The ball was organised to raise funds for new clubrooms planned for the Papamoa Surf Club and would double as a celebration of the success of Bay clubs at the world championships.

Organisers said the decision to postpone the event was based on:

- The timing conflicted with a number of other Christmas parties/surf lifesaving, water polo events
- A lot of feedback from people wanting to attend but financially stretched at this time of year - with Christmas creeping up and many having just paid subs
- Tickets sales had been slow and although it seemed there was intent for more people to buy tickets it appeared we would not get the scale needed in terms of numbers
- Feedback they got was that an end of season ball would attract a much larger response and support

People who had already bought tickets for November 29 at Baypark's ASB Arena would be contacted and have their tickets refunded.

EARLIER: A ball to raise funds for new clubrooms planned for the Papamoa Surf Club will double as a celebration of the success of Bay clubs at the world championships.

The inaugural Surf Ball on November 29 at Baypark's ASB Arena will feature live music, supper and recognition for the local athletes who claimed multiple titles at the Rescue 2014 world championships in France recently.

The club's youth team collected the overall title at Rescue 2014, emulating the deeds of the IRB team, who added the world title to the national championship won earlier this year.

The ball will also raise funds for the Papamoa Community Surf Rescue Base Trust, dedicated to building a new community facility where the existing surf club is.

Papamoa Surf Club chairman Andrew Hitchfield said the Omanu, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa clubs would be working together to make the ball a success.

"The three main clubs along our beautiful coastline have demonstrated how well we can work together and both Mount Maunganui and Omanu are keen to support this event and benefit from it in future," Mr Hitchfield said.

"Surf lifesaving is an integral part of the summer beach culture we all love so much and our lifeguards are fiercely proud of the role they play in keeping our beaches safe.

"This event is a great chance for the community to support the people who support them on the beach.

"We would very much like it to be an annual event - but we will see how this one goes and then we can assess it from there."

Mr Hitchfield said clubs were hopeful they could sell 500 tickets which would raise $20,000 for the project.

Papamoa's proposed new base will contain storage for surf lifesaving equipment, a watch control room, paramedic centre, changing rooms, toilets, showers, a gym/training area, workshop and multipurpose meeting and congregation areas for club members and community groups.

Mr Hitchfield said the design and consent process was under way and indications were the facility could cost up to $5 million.

The existing building, built more than two decades ago, will be replaced by a much larger facility which could be used by other community groups.

The clubhouse is already used by Papamoa Lions, Scouts, Cubs, Brownies and Girl Guides.

Bands Brilleaux and Rock House Party will perform at the ball.