The Local Rag caught up with Marcus Hodgkinson and Luke Hughes to hear about the Manu Bay Single Fin Classic – a celebration of community and the spirit of surfing.
When did it start and who was behind it?
Marcus: The single fin event was first conceived at the Camenzind surfboard factory over Friday night beers by myself, Mark Camenzind, Kyle Leuthart, and others. We wanted a fun community event that wasn’t so focused on the competitive side of surfing, to put the fun element back in and have a chance to ride and show off all the fantastic old single fin boards that everyone had collected over the years.
This brings out great stories of where the boards came from and who shaped them, like the history around the Wilson surfboard brand that was a big part of Raglan surfing history back in the ’70s – shaped by Don Wilson.
His family and extended family come to the event and compete and share their stories. His old boards are some of the most sought after around Raglan and NZ by surfboard collectors. The event has been a success in linking up old Raglan with the new and sharing some great history with everyone. It brings out other surfers in the community that would normally never compete and even drags out the old crew with the lure of a free beer, who actually rode these boards back in the day like Malcolm Davidson, Chris Banks, Mickey T, Crowie, Tony Randrup, Terry Gibbs, and Ken Thomas…who were all in the Point Boardriders club back in their era.
How did the event go this year in terms of conditions?
Luke: The conditions this year were near ideal; clean head high waves with light winds, sunny skies, and high tides for the majority of the day, while coffee from Coaster Coffee kept energy levels high, and the BBQ from Raglan Surf Co kept hungry stomachs full.
Who was involved?
Luke: The draw is limited to 72 entrants comprised of long-standing Point Boardriders members and long-term local residents, as well as the wider community who come to enjoy the atmosphere and culture of grassroots surfing.
What were some of the highlights of the day?
Luke: Aside from the surfing, the boards on show, and the community turnout, the Pie Eating competition, where contestants are required to eat a mince and cheese pie as quickly as they can, is always an entertaining spectacle. The post-event prize giving held at Raglan Surf Co. allowed everyone to cap off an awesome day with live music thanks to Abstract Fish Lung, Jamin-I, and Selector X, food from Sidekick, as well as spot prizes for all competitors.
Results to report?
Results of the main event were Theo Morse 1st, Luke Hughes 2nd, Van Camenzind 3rd, Tom Robinson 4th, and Jake Haines 5th, while Luke Mathers won the adults’ pie eating and Alani Morse the junior pie eating competition. Best performance was won by Conor McLennan and Michael Nation, best woman Brie Bennett, best junior Van Camenzind, best senior Mark ‘Heckor’ Brightwell, best dressed Liam Couldan-Lavers, and Kook of the Day awarded to James Dickinson.
Who would you like to thank?
All of the competitors, spectators, and volunteers who helped make the day what it was. Local businesses for their kind donations; Raglan Bakery, Everyone’s Store, Jenny Watts Physio, Camenzind Surfboards, Coaster Coffee, Dreamview Creamery, Aroha Sushi, B Rex Photo Design, Hughes Surfboards as well as main and presenting sponsor Raglan Surf Company. Marcus Hodgkinson, Luke and Ariel Hughes for their organizational efforts as well as the Point Boardriders Club for officiating and running the day. We can’t wait to run again in 2025!
