The Local Rag introduces a new surfing series where we profile families in Raglan where surfing is a passion across the generations. We begin with students involved in the RAS surf academy and this month we talk to Mark Camenzind and his daughter Jade Camenzind.
Mark, describe your relationship with surfing. When did it begin? How did you get interested?
My first introduction to surfing was around 40 years ago when I was 14 on holiday at the Mount. I had a go on a friend’s old board and got hooked on the feeling. Since then surfing and surfboards are my passion and my job.
Where did you mainly surf and who with?
From there I bought myself a board and mainly only got to surf it in the holidays at the Mount. Once I got my own car at 16 I discovered Raglan with my mates from Melville High School. A year later I moved to Raglan.
Did you surf competitively?
No not really only the very odd comp till my later years. I now compete in the point boardriders along with my family.
Both you and Jo surf. How did you encourage the kids to build their confidence?
We were always at the beach so we made sure the kids always had a warm wetsuit and some kind of board to ride. We let them pick it up at their own pace, and having their friends along to share the froth helped also.
What benefit do you feel that surfing gives them in their teenage years?
Surfing gives them so much, friendships, learning about the ocean, being outdoors, and keeping fit physically and mentally. It’s one of the best gifts a parent can give.
What is the ultimate family surfing holiday?
We really enjoy going to Bali for the sun, surf, culture, and food. Also traveling around NZ and surfing different spots is special.
Jade, tell us about your first memory of surfing.
Throughout the ages of 6-10, my dad would take me and my younger brother down the beach or to the points on a small day to go surfing.
He would take turns pushing us into waves, and I remember getting into arguments with my brother about who has been pushed into more waves, and fighting about who was catching the next wave.
Who was it that encouraged and supported you in the water?
My mum and dad have definitely been my biggest supporters and encouraged me a lot with my surfing. Also, as my older brother Jarvis surfed all the time and was really into it when I was younger, seeing how much fun he was having in the water and in the surfing academy, encouraged me to go surfing more.
How did they influence you and what has been their main surfing advice?
Seeing how much enjoyment surfing brought my parents and brother influenced me a lot to want to try surfing and once I felt what it was like I was hooked. My parents’ main surfing advice has been to have fun and never give up.
When did you discover that you were fully into surfing and wanted to pursue it at a competitive level?
In the level 3 lockdowns in 2020 me and my friends started surfing all day, every day as it was uncrowded. From then on I have been obsessed with surfing every day. I enjoy surfing for fun and like entering boardriders competitions.
How do you find the Surf academy experience? What are the benefits for you?
I love the surf academy and enjoy the surfing environment that it has. I love surfing with my friends every day while also getting school work done. The benefits for me are being able to learn a lot more about surfing and improve my surfing while also having the school/work balance to pass level 1.
How have the comps gone for you this year and what do you hope to experience moving forward?
Comps haven’t really gone my way this year but I’m looking forward to seeing what the future years bring.
Who else in the family surfs and do you surf as a family?
All 5 of us surf and we try to surf as a family as much as possible. Being out in the water all together is really fun and seeing us all catch waves together is pretty cool.
This content was made possible thanks to sponsorship from Raglan Surf Co.
