Just like the famous surfing documentary from 1966, the ‘Endless Summer’ in New Zealand continues to roll on.

By the end of March the calendar summer will be over, however waves of what has been one of the best in summer in years are likely to still be hanging around.

That makes Gisborne on east coast of the north island the ideal location for a surfing festival.

And this Easter marks the inaugural New Zealand Lawyers Easter Surfing Festival.

The criteria is simple; you need to be a practising lawyer and be able to surf.

“You don’t need to be a great surfer though. Some surfers will take the competition side of it seriously, but really it’s about taking part and perhaps meeting a few other lawyers who surf that you didn’t know beforehand,” says Gisborne Regional Surfing Development manager, Kelly Ryan.

The event from 31 March to 1 April is being backed by the Gisborne Board Riders Club.

Kelly Ryan is a former National Longboarding surf champion and part of the organising team.

“We know there are lawyers who surf throughout the country and we want to get them involved. It’s as serious as you want to make it. The most important part is taking part in the events and what a great way to spend Easter. Bring your family as there will be plenty for your children to do while you hit the waves,” he says.

So far registrations have come from Auckland, Waikato, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne.

The Gisborne Board Riders Club juniors are organising an Easter egg hunt which will be challenging as the eggs will be hidden in ‘beach places’.

The Gisborne branch of the New Zealand Law Society are also organising some social events to be held throughout the holiday weekend.

Branch manager, Zaria Weatherhead says there is alternative accommodation available for people that might be keen to go ‘surf camping style’.

“Some of our Gisborne lawyers have offered spare rooms or their lawns for tents,” she says.

The best point of contact is zaria.weatherhead@lawsociety.org.nz

The Gisborne Board Riders Club is affiliated with Surfing New Zealand, and holds both public liability and statutory liability insurance. It’s also covered by Think Safe and has a comprehensive and regularly monitored health and safety policy. All contestants will sign an online waiver on entering. For further details go to www.gisborneboardriders.com.