What started as a challenge between resident surfing legend and local New Zealand radio host Wayne ‘Arch’ Arthur and FEW’s founder, Kena Lucy, to invite the Eastern Surfing Association’s (ESA’s) All-Star team to surf against local New Zealanders, was realized this past weekend. The ESA All-Stars got a chance to experience Taranaki in a way that few of us will ever have the opportunity to.

On Friday, August 3, 18 of the ESA’s All-Stars arrived in New Plymouth, New Zealand, which is a town in the region of Taranaki. FEW invited the All-Stars not only to surf, but to introduce them to the place that FEW loves and calls home, New Zealand. Shortly after their arrival the surfers were greeted at the New Plymouth Surfrider Club (NPSRC) with an indigenous welcoming ceremony called a Powhiri. The ceremony was followed by 30 Maori locals from the Manukorihi Intermediate School greeting the All-Stars with the Kapa Haka, a traditional dance performed by the indigenous Maori Tribe of New Zealand. After an exhilarating performance, combined of chants, dance, speeches and food, the ESA All-Stars were officially welcomed.

When FEW, a corporate sponsor of the ESA, was asked why bringing the surfers to New Zealand was so special to them here is what Kena Lucy had to say: “This is who we are as a brand. It’s not just about the clothing or the competition. We are passionate about what we do and believe that the experience a person encounters while on their surf, snow or skate trip is just as important as the activity itself.”

On Saturday the ESA All-Stars faced off against the Kiwi team from the NPSRC. Some of the best amateur surfers from two different sides of the world surfed almost neck-in-neck at the local Fitzroy Beach. Results are as follows:

Under 12 Boys
1st Cam Richards (ESA), 2nd Cory Howell (ESA), 3rd Sean Kettle (NP)

Under 14 Boys
1st Cam Richards (ESA), 2nd Cory Howell (ESA), 3rd Sean Kettle (NP), 4th Josh Kettle (NP)

Under 16 Boys
1st Cole Richards (ESA), 2nd Eric Torres (ESA), 3rd Michael Mallalieu (NP), 4th Tyler Anderson (NP)

Under 18 Boys
1st Michael Howard (ESA), 2nd Vince Boulanger (ESA), 3rd Cole Richards (ESA), 4th Mark Parthemore (NP)

Open Womens
1st Keenan Lineback (ESA), 2nd Savannah Bradley (ESA), 3rd Jenny Brown (ESA), 4th Chelsea Gresham (ESA)

Open Mens
1st Vince Boulanger (ESA), 2nd Michael Mallalieu (NP), 3rd Zach Kenney (ESA), 4th Conan James (NP)

“We have never been so welcomed or experienced such incredible warmth and fellowship as this trip to Taranaki and the country of New Zealand presented. FEW it took upon themselves to present to these kids an experience that cannot be measured in significance,” said ESA All-Star Team Director, Brain Broom. “For that I, and we as a team, are tremendously grateful,” thanked Broom.

On Sunday, the All-Stars got a chance to see the lay of the land and do a bit more surfing with the local Kiwis. Surfers from both teams exchanged their hometown t-shirts as parting gifts and, of course, all surfers were gifted with FEW gear.

All-in-all, the trip was wildly successful.

“Watching the kids from two different cultures interact and making those memories… being the cause of that is so fulfilling,” said Lucy. “Those snapshots in time are what matters most to us at FEW.”