Kristin and Rachel Savage bought Hickory bay Farm  twelve years ago, giving up city life in Wellington to try their hand at farming.

Kristin, a former teacher and keen surfer, was drawn to the beach location and what promised to be consistently good surf.

"I saw the farm advertised and thought, wouldn't it be cool to base something around surfing and eco-tourism?" Savage says.

The farm initially took precedence, and the couple, with the help of Rachel's parents, spent the first few years putting their energy into developing the 500-hectare property.

Moving from teaching to farming was a steep learning curve, but Rachel's father, Keith, was on hand to provide advice.

"Keith taught me about farming and especially stockmanship.

"If you don't get that right, you may as well forget everything else."

Savage expected the property to just "tread water", but the farm was a success, with the couple enjoying the rural lifestyle more than expected.

While the potential surfing and eco-tourism plans had taken a back seat to farm development, the idea re-presented itself four years ago after the couple had built a new home on the property, leaving the cottage vacant.

Rather than renting the cottage out or bringing in additional staff, the Savage's decided to open the house for accommodation – but with a difference.

"We wanted to do something more than accommodation.

"So it's not just an Airbnb, it's a Cold Water Surf Resort.

"It's a niche market.

"There's a lot of farms with accommodation, but not all have one of the best surf beaches in New Zealand."

In addition to the cottage, guests can also choose to stay in the cheerfully renovated cabin, a converted shearer's quarters a short walk from the beach.

The Cabin and the Cottage also offer chemical-free hot tubs, from  Kiwitubs. A hot tub at the Surf Club cleverly adapted from a farm trough.

The accommodation supplements the farm income, which is handy in a climate that often brings droughts.

"It's a really wet farm, but I could see these droughts were still going to be an issue every few years.

"So anything we can do to blunt off the sharp edges with a bit of diversification helps," Savage said.

Savage also provided relief teaching at the local school when they are short-staffed.

Unexpectedly, this led to Savage teaching some of the school students to surf.

What began as a spur-of-the-moment after-school lesson has evolved into the Hickory Bay Surfing Institute with Surf Club running over the summer months after school one day each week.

Now a charitable trust, the club has grown with the children's parents also trying their hands at surfing and joining in the fun.

"We keep the ratios safe and have a debrief behind the electric fence before they go near the water."

An award is given out each week for the surfer of the day, with children receiving a trophy made by a local craftsman builder for the winner to keep for the week.

"They may not be the champion surfer for the week, but they will do something special or push themselves out of their comfort zone."

Afterwards, Savage lights the fire pit, and there is music and a BBQ.

When Savage heard about the Surfing for Farmers initiative, it seemed like a natural fit and reached out to the national coordinator.

"We just rang and asked them how we could help, and it just grew from there."

Many parents whose children attend the Tuesday Kids Surf Club attend Surfing for Farmers on Thursday evenings through the summer months.

Lessons are free, and boards and wetsuits are provided.

All skill levels are welcome; and no prior surfing experience is required.

After surfing, the BBQ is fired up to give people a chance to have a yarn and connect.

"It's a really special time to get off the farm, and it couldn't be more different to having your head in farming than surfing.

'The ocean will humble you pretty quickly and make you realise that you're insignificant in the scheme of things.

"All your problems go away when you are in the water.

"It's a simple model, but it's actually a no-brainer.

"It's exercise, it's food, and it's social, so it ticks all the boxes."

by Claire Inkson