Good morning Sunners,

Welcome to the first day of summer.

Mount Maunganui Surf Academy owner Andy Collins with Kiri Binnersley and Guy Brown ready to surf. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

MetService is predicting a 22degrees high today, so why not take to the beach to celebrate the first official day of the summer season?

This Sunday, Mauao's Mount Maunganui's Surf Academy and Hibiscus Surf School, Waihi Beach Surf School, and Ohope's Salt Spray Surf School are among 20 surf schools providing reduced rates and free lessons as part of National Surfing Day.

The initiative is a fundraiser for Disabled Surfing New Zealand, which has been chosen as the most deserving recipient after a vote on the Surfing New Zealand's Facebook page.

Surfers, both beginners and advanced, are encouraged to come down to the corner of Banks Ave and Marine Parade between 9am and noon today to take advantage of the cheap lessons and support a great cause.

For $20, Mount Maunganui Surf Academy owner Andy Collins, who is originally from the United Kingdom and has more than 20 years' surfing experience, provides a one-hour lesson and all necessary equipment, including boards and wetsuits.

His qualified instructors will be on hand and there will be a sausage sizzle via gold coin donation, with all of the proceeds going to DSNZ.

Sunday 1 December

Bay Bible Fellowship

Welcome Bay Primary School 309 Welcome Bay Rd 10am. Praise, worship & communion. Teaching by John Kerr from 'Joshua” ch 13-19, ‘Great is thy faithfulness'. All welcome. www.baybiblefellowship.co.nz

Bible Seminars

Greerton Senior Citizen's Hall, Maitland St, Greerton 1.45pm. Title: 'The real truth about Jesus.” Interactive, Q&A. Refreshments provided. All welcome. Vic 543 0504

BOP Pug Club

For all pug dog owners & pugs in the area. Meet at the War Memorial, Mt Maunganui 4pm.

Concert

Presented by Tauranga City Silver Band & Salvation Army Band featuring conventional brass band & percussion. Programme includes movie themes, easy listening & Christmas numbers. At Salvation Army Citadel, 51 5th Ave, Tauranga 5-6.30pm. Tickets $5 at door. Proceeds to Waipuna Hospice.

Czech & Slovak Club Tauranga Inc

Czech school for children from bi-lingual background every Sun at Arataki Community Centre 10am - 12pm. http://www.facebook.com/ceskyaslovenskyclubtauranga or [email protected]

Family Fun Day

Dec 15 Held by The Phoenix at Masonic Park. Entry via gold coin donation with all proceeds going to Camp Quality Waikato/BOP – a camp for children with cancer.

Owens Park Community Day

At Welcome Bay 11am - 2pm. Bands, kapahaka, hangi, sausage sizzle, games, sports. Stalls to hire & hangi tickets. 544 9774

Petanque

Every Sun, Tues & Thurs at Cliff Rd 12.45pm. Boules available, tuition given. 1st 3 visits free. Neita 572 3768

Prestige Singles

50+ coffee afternoon. New change of venue: Raft Expresso Bar/Eatery 2.30pm. Mix & mingle with other like-minded individuals. Gayle 027 439 3267

Radio Controlled Model Yachts

Meet Sun 1.30pm & Thurs 5.30pm at pond behind 24 Montego Drive, Papamoa to race electron & similar 3ft long yachts. Graham 572 5419

St Nicholas Day

Dec 8 at Arataki Community centre 10am. Interested people in this typical Czech traditional celebration welcome. Registration essential. Register at http://www.facebook.com/ceskyaslovenskyclubtauranga or email: [email protected]

Steve's Vision Photography

Gallery open including art by Clark Espin & sculpture by Brian Chrystall. 26 Wallace Place Tauriko 10am - 4pm. Signage from turnoff into Westridge Dr, off Cambridge Rd. (Open 1st Sun of month & flexible by arrangement any other day) Steve 021 128 6781 www.stevebolt.co.nz

Summer Lions Market Papamoa

New afternoon market held 1st & 3rd Sunday at Papamoa Sports Centre, Gordon Spratt Reserve, Parton Rd, Papamoa 1-5pm.

Sunday Drivers Club

Run to the Hamilton Classic Motor Show at the Classic Museum. Anyone welcome to join our runs. Partners encouraged to come along. David 544 8713 or [email protected]

Tauranga Rainbow Social Network

For gay/lesbian/bi/transgender, intersex. Meet 2nd Sun of month at 3pm. Peta 577 0433 or 021 128 2544

Technics Music Academy

End of year concert at Pyes Pa Auditorium, 383 Pyes Pa Rd 2pm. Come along & listen to our students' performances. Free admission, donations toward Foodbank (non perishable food, gold coin donation etc) appreciated. Kiyono 577 0450 or [email protected]

Te Puke Spiritual Discussion Group

Held 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday at Hair Linez, Old Railway Station, Jellicoe St 10.30-11.30am. Gathering of spiritual minds to discuss & learn from each other. $3 donation. Elaine 573 5361

Wai/BOP Bisexual Women's Group

For support & social activities. Women only, transwomen welcome. Meet 4th Sun 3pm. Kaye 021 239 7142 or 07 218 1411