Seems like a pretty good spend if you ask me given all the exposure they get - especially given we were the inarguable champion





The Ultimate Waterman, which took the world by storm for the first time in 2015, will return with support from New Zealand Major Events (NZME), it was announced today.

The Government, through the Major Events Development Fund (MEDF), will invest up to 1.2 million dollars over three years in this locally-developed surfing event to be contested from 12-20 March, 2016 in Auckland and throughout New Zealand.

Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce made the announcement this morning in Auckland during a training session for 2015 Ultimate Waterman champion and New Zealander Daniel Kereopa of Raglan.

Devorah Blumberg of New Zealand Major Events, within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), says that The Ultimate Waterman is an example of an innovative home-grown event which will showcase New Zealand to the world.

“We expect The Ultimate Waterman to generate significant immediate and long-term benefits for New Zealand and have positive effects on New Zealand’s reputation as a world class event destination,” says Mrs Blumberg.

Greg Townsend, chief executive of The Ultimate Waterman and Surfing New Zealand, says this is the largest ever investment by the NZ government into a New Zealand-owned surfing event.

“This speaks volumes for the opportunity The Ultimate Waterman presents for Auckland and New Zealand internationally and the sport of surfing. We’re excited to be able to deliver an even more successful event in 2016 and beyond,” says Townsend, who is also the creator of the event.

The Ultimate Waterman also receives sponsorship from Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), on behalf of Auckland Council.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says The Ultimate Waterman is a superb showcase for Auckland’s coastlines and active, on-water lifestyle.

“This home-grown event lets Kiwis see world-class watermen in action, have a go in The Ultimate Paddle Day at Takapuna Beach, and gives us the opportunity to show off Auckland on TV, film, web and airline screens around the world.”

Plans for 2016 include the introduction of two new surfing disciplines - the “Underwater Strength Run and Swim” and “Prone Paddleboard” race - taking the number of disciplines athletes will compete in to eight.

“The skill, strength and spirit needed to win this coveted title has been increased. The 2016 competition is all about taking it to the next level - casting our net wider with the athletes we invite, increasing competition intensity and throwing all the toughest surfing conditions that New Zealand has to offer at them,” says Townsend.

Athletes returning to compete so far are Connor Baxter (HAW), Mark Visser (AUS), Kala Alexander (HAW), Danny Ching (USA), Manoa Drollet (PYF), Georges Cronsteadt (PYF) and 2015 winner Daniel Kereopa (NZL). A new addition to the line up is Caio Vaz of Brazil who has also taken up the challenge to win the title. The Ultimate Waterman is an invite-only contest and more high profile athletes will be announced over the coming months as they come on board.

The event will also include an opportunity for the public to race in “The Ultimate Paddle Day” which features Waka Ama, Stand Up Paddle, Prone Paddleboard and Surf Ski. This event will take place on the first The Ultimate Waterman competition day at Takapuna Beach, Auckland on 12 March, 2016. A live site will also run from the Auckland Viaduct from 18-20 March, 2016 to coincide with the final event and crowning of the 2016 Ultimate Waterman.

I like it!!

They really should invest in some cricket lessons

Great idea Mac - we could sell rugby lessons to you blokes as you certainly need them and would be prepared to pay overs for them (which you did with Robbie ) and we can buy 50 times as many cricket lessons - which is about the number of players that your blokes have over us !

Ted, that's not a good post, you know perfectly well that scotty has problems with his short attention span and anything over 50 words confuses him, yet you did not bother to do an abbreviated version for him.

Once again, it falls to me to fix the problem;

For scotty

" Poor cricketing nation try's their hand at water sports"

Haha

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Ted the Kiwi said..
Great idea Mac - we could sell rugby lessons to you blokes as you certainly need them and would be prepared to pay overs for them (which you did with Robbie ) and we can buy 50 times as many cricket lessons - which is about the number of players that your blokes have over us !

if we a runners up and need lessons -whats that say about the rest of the world.



ps. Robbie was dud

Same could be said about the cricket then

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Ted the Kiwi said..
Same could be said about the cricket then

fluke. never been there before

Kiwi scam I had a couple working for me back when the first home owners grant was 21k they received it built a place sold it a year later and took off back to NZD with the 21k. Now thats a investment.Yep I was p-ssed grants weren't around in my time.

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obct said...

Ted, that's not a good post, you know perfectly well that scotty has problems with his short attention span and anything over 50 words confuses him, yet you did not bother to do an abbreviated version for him.

Once again, it falls to me to fix the problem;

For scotty

" Poor cricketing nation try's their hand at water sports"

Thanks OB.
You're farking kidding Ted with that dosier.

When I was flying home on Air New Zealand Air Line of the year again ,I watched a vid of the 2015 Waterman event it was really well done and won buy a Longboarder

DK was a short boarder first

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Ted the Kiwi said...
DK was a short boarder first

Thk goodness for that.

Kiwis don't need bowling lessons Ted, however their " Under Arm ' bowling does needs improving ...... perhaps we can swap rugby lessons for that ...? whatya reckon Ted ...?

kiwi bikie gang members ending up in an australian detention centre

thats australias investment.

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Cobra said..
kiwi bikie gang members ending up in an australian detention centre

thats australias investment.

Your right there Cobra...

"Money for nuthin' and their Kicks for free"..Aussie $$ and the poor prison guards....talk about being in ...Dire Straits !

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bazz61 said..
Kiwis don't need bowling lessons Ted, however their " Under Arm ' bowling does needs improving ...... perhaps we can swap rugby lessons for that ...? whatya reckon Ted ...?

Pie Chuckers......

^^
I take that last comment back.

And apologise with this bit of NZ goodness..

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Cobra said...
kiwi bikie gang members ending up in an australian detention centre

thats australias investment.

Raising the IQ of both countries when they leave NZ bound for Oz. let's hope they are allowed to stay in Oz

Sup cuz ?
What's doing bro ?

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Ted the Kiwi said...

Cobra said...
kiwi bikie gang members ending up in an australian detention centre

thats australias investment.

Raising the IQ of both countries when they leave NZ bound for Oz. let's hope they are allowed to stay in Oz

Babababababa...... West Auckland represent....mangere and and proud bro