Surfing: Calling polar bears - Cold, but inviting

The North Coast Boardriders Annual competition the Polar Bear Classic at Sandy Bay will be held this weekend, swell permitting.

The Polar Bear was first held in 1981 as a fundraiser and an excuse to invite other clubs who could make the trek for a good party in the middle of winter.

"There was nothing else to do in those days and although the surf is pretty unpredictable at that time (it's been more than often postponed through lack of surf) it was a great exercise for the club to hone skills to help them run the NZ surf Nationals at Sandy Bay that year," contest director Mal Eggington said.

The annual contest is well supported and there are surfers who are now surfing in the over 50s who attended those early comps as grommets.

Prizes over the years have ranged from custom surfboards to a sheep, but everyone leaves with something for their effort.

"These days we are really spoilt by our sponsors with the main sponsor of the past three years, Schnappa Rock, putting up $2000 in cash prizes and providing all competitors with a commemorative T-shirt and they also put on a good party for the prizegiving on Sunday," Eggington added.

Last year Tane Wallis took out the top prize of $1000 and the Schnappa Rock Trophy.

The open is the main event, but the divisions have expanded by demand over the years and now include over 40s and over 50s and a Longboard division.

Eggington, who also ran the inaugural competition, reckons there were few surfers over 30 keen on competing back in 1981.

"There were no Longboards thrusters hadn't made main stream yet you either surfed a twin or single-fin board around six foot."

Entries are limited. Contact Eggington at the Tutukaka Surf Company for more info.