Black Foils and Live Ocean to stage NZ's largest ever foiling event on May 24
by Black Foils Media 8 May 2025 16:33 NZST
#Foil4TheGulf is open to all types of Foilers © Richard Gladwell - Sail-World.com/nz
The Black Foils and Live Ocean Foundation are leading the charge to organise what they hope will be New Zealand’s largest ever foiling event to help get the Hauraki Gulf / Tikapa Moana Marine Protection Bill passed into law.
“Foil4TheGulf”, set to take place next month Saturday 24 May at Auckland’s Okahu Bay, has been inspired by the Hauraki Gulf / Tikapa Moana Marine Protection Bill’s stalled progress in Parliament after its second reading in December last year.
The event, hosted at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, will bring together foilers (beginners through to experienced), from across Tamaki Makaurau and beyond. It’s a call to action to join the Black Foils on the water for a foiling challenge and show support for the Bill. Attendees don’t have to get in the water to join in the action with options to learn more about the need to protect the Gulf and an introduction to foiling available on site.
The ambition is to garner public and political attention at the event and draw attention back to passing the important marine protection Bill. With a target of up to 200 participants there is the chance the challenge could become the largest foiling event ever in the Southern Hemisphere.
Black Foils Co-CEO and Live Ocean Founder Blair Tuke hoped the event would bring the urgent need to take action in the gulf to the attention of a wider audience.
“Kiwis have a special connection to the ocean and so many of us, including foilers, spend hours out on the water, particularly in the Gulf. This event is an awesome opportunity to bring people together to learn about the importance of protecting the Gulf and for the foiling community to take on a challenge doing what they love, in a place they love that’s at a tipping point.”
A public campaign will accompany the foiling event, encouraging participants, spectators, friends and family in attendance, and across all digital platforms to share digital postcard images and messages of what they love about the Gulf which will be sent to politicians - asking for it to be restored for future generations.
Tuke’s fellow Co-CEO and Live Ocean Founder Peter Burling said the passing of the important and historic Bill would be a much needed step forward to halt the decline of the Gulf.
“After decades of work by so many, the Bill would be a huge step forward for one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most outstanding areas of marine and seabird diversity. As great as the Gulf looks from the surface, it’s at a tipping point below the waterline. We’re hearing huge concern from scientists and locals about what they’re seeing. Restoring and protecting it will help ensure the health of the Gulf for future generations. The Bill is almost there, let’s get it done.”
New Zealand Olympian and passionate foiler Barbara Kendall said “I can’t wait to take part in this event and to help raise awareness for this cause. The Hauraki Gulf has been a part of my life since I was a baby and I want that to be the case for future generations.”
100% of the proceeds of this event will go directly to Live Ocean to support restoration work in the Hauraki Gulf.
Event Details - Foil4TheGulf
The Royal Akarana Yacht Club
Saturday 24 May:
- 1200hrs registration opens
- 1315hrs Welcome and event and safety briefing
- 1400-1445hrs Foilers on the water
- 1500hrs onwards Speakers and onsite drinks, food and prize-giving
- 1630hrs Ends