Last weekend's Polar Bear Classic surf competition broke new ground by offering equal prize money of $1000 for the winners of both the men's and women's senior competitions.
Northland's Polar Bear Classic surf comp breaks new ground
It was a first for the competition, organised by the North Coast Boardriders, but what was just as amazing was that the winner of the men's competition - Eli Jacobs - gave his prize money straight back to the club's top two junior grommets to help with their surfing development.
Sandy Bay put on great surfing conditions for the competition last Saturday and Sunday, with almost 100 surfers taking part in the various divisions.
One of the competition organisers, Tia Lord, said North Coast Boardriders was leading the way with its equal prize money and hoped other competitions would follow suit.
Lord was amazed at the generosity of Jacobs, who as soon as he got his hands on the prize for winning the Open Men's Division gave his $1000 cheque back to the club's top two under 14 groms, Tai Erceg-Grey and Tama Kauwhata to put towards their surfing development.
''It was a huge gesture and made a big impact on everybody at the prizegiving,'' she said.
Laura Griffen won the Open Women's Division.
FULL RESULTS:
UNDER 10s
1st - Ben Porter
2nd - Ezra Donaldson
3rd - Alani Morse
4th - Indi-Lee Ruddell
UNDER 14s
1st - Tama Kauwhata
2nd - Tai Erceg-Gray
3rd - Ben Moretti
4th - Jack Tyro
UNDER 18s
1st - Taylor O'Leary
2nd - Billy Gilbert
3rd - Cory Vercoe
4th - Thomas Robinson
OVER 40s
1st - Andrew Robinson
2nd - Josh Borlase
3rd - Glyn Jacobs
4th - Jack Griffith
OVER 50s
1st - Mark Hoyle
2nd - Jack Griffith
3rd - Glyn Jacobs
4th - Steve Tyro
OVER 60s
1st - John Gisby
2nd - Richard Waitzer
3rd - Rupert Newbold
4th - Dave Gould
LONGBOARD
1st - Zen Wallis
2nd - Glen Johnson
3rd - Winnie Hoogerbrugge
4th - Mark Hoyle
OPEN WOMEN
1st - Laura Griffen
2nd - Wini Paul
3rd - Mischa Davis
4th - Renee Ruddell
OPEN MEN
1st - Eli Jacobs
2nd - Dune Kennings
3rd - Rian Boyd
4th - Andrew Robinson