MEN IN THEIR CRAFT - TOM BUTLAND

Fresh off being selected in the national team, Tom Butland is a busy young man – who has got the surfing world at his feet. @tombutland

Tom inherited his Dad’s surfing passion at the age of two and when the family moved to Taranaki from Wellington, 11 years ago, Tom had a surfing paradise right on his back door. 

The Butland crew joined the Oakura Board Riders Club and Tom was thrown straight in the deep end of the world class surfing culture in the Naki.  

“We started doing all the club events and competitions, that’s how I got into it and I loved it straight away.” 

Tom won the Board Riders Club under 8 competition at the age of seven – it was his first win and since then he has made huge strides in establishing his name in the surfing world. 

The year 12 New Plymouth Boys’ High School student had a career highlight earlier this year, when he won his first national title, under 16 Champion, over a week of competing.

“We were lucky enough to have the competition held in Taranaki this year, for the first time in 17 years, so it felt really good to win my first ever national title at home, at Stent road, which is my favourite spot to surf.”

Tom’s favourite part of surfing is the unexpected, “the variables are so exciting, anything can happen, and I love how everything can change suddenly, it’s always different.”

As for reaching his goals, Tom’s already smashing them, having recently been named in the New Zealand surfing team, set to travel overseas at the end of the year. 

“I’m hoping to have a good result there and get more consistent with everything I’m doing including surfing and fitness in the leadup to then.” 

Which means a lot of time in the water practising for Tom, the best way he learns.

“In the lead up to competitions I surf around three times a day and do a lot of mountain biking which is my other favourite sport, and then in the week leading up I just have a half an hour surf a day to ensure minimal injury.” 

Tom’s got a massive support team behind him, his whole family, who travel the country with him when he’s competing, his friends, Oakura club, technique coach Matt Scorringe and the Vertigo Surf Shop have all had a hand in getting Tom to where he is. 

Tom has a drive for success, eagerness to finish school and is always looking forward to the next adventure, including up and coming trips to The Mentawais in Indonesia and Australia. 

When he finishes school, Tom hopes to do an electrical apprenticeship, and in his free time, catch as many waves as he can so eventually, he can chase the World tour.