Waterbourne Beach Festival combining sporting action, music, sustainability

An upcoming festival is on a mission to provide people with memorable experiences while protecting and rebuilding New Zealand’s coastline through a range of initiatives.

Waterbourne is a sustainable beach festival that promotes the protection of New Zealand’s wildlife and ocean.

The festival will be held at Mount Maunganui Beach and Soper Reserve from March 4-6 with water sports, food and international musicians.

In addition to sports and music, there will also be sandcastle competitions, volunteer-run beach cleanups, and water safety lessons.

Ensuring that the beach is preserved for generations to come is a central pillar at the heart of the Waterbourne Charitable Trust.

The Eves Paddle Boarding Nationals are expected to attract more than 150 athletes from across New Zealand, alongside athletes from Australia, the United States and French Polynesia.

This would be the first time the festival has been held in Mount Maunganui and event director Laurence Carey said it would not only help the top athletes competing, but provide a gateway for students to become active.

“We will have materials available for young people to compete in, which means all the students need to do is show up and register.

“It’s not just about music and water sports, it’s also about getting young people into sport and being sustainable with it,” he said.

Carey said he used to windsurf professionally and had seen what it looked like around the world, competing in sometimes dirty water.

“If we are to be able to enjoy water and its sports, we have to make sure it is there for the future, not just now.

“We have to be able to take care of it so that it is really there for the future.”

He said he was looking forward to hosting the Waterbourne Beach Festival after being hit by Covid-19 last year.

“It’s a community event and we have international musicians performing, with confirmed MIQ seats guaranteed.”

The concerts will include one with British DnB legend Sub Focus and one with Sir Dave Dobbyn and special guests.

Carey said there is a large-scale international event that will be part of Waterbourne going forward, and that this event will lay the groundwork for the one to come in 2023.

Tauranga City Council Venues and Events Manager Nelita Byrne said she was delighted to host the Waterbourne Beach Festival.

“With the festival incorporating a range of sporting events, beach activities and live concerts, there really will be something for everyone.

“It is events like these that add to the dynamism and economic growth of the city while showcasing all that Tauranga Moana has to offer.”