NZWindows is proud to sponsor a range of clubs and organisations across the North Island, including Te Moananui a Toi-based surf club, Bay Boardriders (BBR). The talented team of riders is about to take on some of the world’s best in the World Club Surfing Championships at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast, Australia. They will be joining other teams from around the world including from Hawaii, the United States, the UK, Bali, Japan and Tahiti.

Owen Barnes (coach), James Jacobs (president), Luke Griffin, Hinako Kurokawa, Alex Dive, Bruce Tod (manager) and Tai Murphy. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

As New Zealand’s largest and top-performing surf club, BBR boasts over 130 members, ranging in age from 8 to 60+. We’re thrilled to be ongoing major sponsors of this grassroots organisation, helping local surfers compete both nationally and internationally for their club and New Zealand.

We caught up with NZWindows Group Manager and BBR Team Manager, Bruce Tod, to discuss the club’s participation in the upcoming Usher Cup, taking place 17^th – 19^th January 2025.

“NZWindows is proud to sponsor the BBR, who for the second year in a row won the NZ Surfing National Club Champs in May. This victory secured their spot at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast to represent New Zealand at the Usher Cup,” Bruce shared.

Bay Boardriders manager Bruce Tod. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

“The Usher Cup is a TAG team event with two initial rounds to progress, followed by a knockout repechage format.

Snapper Rocks, near Coolangatta, is renowned for its world-class, golden sand-bottom point break, offering a wave quality like a mechanical wave machine. Normally, the break is crowded with hundreds of surfers, but this competition gives our athletes the rare chance to ride Snapper with only three others in the water.

It’s a truly special opportunity. Snapper is famous for its long, barrelling sections, with waves peeling for hundreds of metres. Plus, it’s home to surfing legends like 8-time world champ Steph Gilmore and 3-time world champ Mick Fanning. Competing here is a dream come true for our surfers.

We have a strong team this year, consisting of Alex Dive, Luke Griffin, Hinako Kurokawa and Tai Murphy”.

Tai Murphy, Bruce Tod, Alex Dive, Luke Griffin, James Jacob, Owen Barnes and Hinako Kurokawa. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

Everyone at NZWindows is rooting for the BBR and wishes the team the best of luck at the coveted World Club Challenge!