Piha paddle-out for peace in the wake of Christchurch tragedy

More than 80 surfers paddled out from Piha on Tuesday evening to show their respect for those who lost their lives in the Christchurch mosque shootings.

Surfer Aria Silvester described the scene as the sun was setting: “It was red, like blood. It was shining all over the sky and reflecting off the water,” she said.

"Everyone was talking about forming a circle. Everyone started to link hands.”

Flowers were placed in the middle, a prayer was said and a moment of silence shared.

Ms Silvester found the intimacy of the moment very special. “To hold hands with people you’ve never met before and be there for the same thing… and quite a vulnerable position as well, like when we got out there these massive waves started coming and it was like man, we’re not safe out here. Just like those people weren’t safe where they were you know?”

For her, the simple act of joining as one was extremely symbolic.

“The unity of it was ridiculous because they were pretty much all strangers to me but you’re literally sitting there holding hands, staring at all these people in a massive circle and all communicating because you have one common goal.”

That goal was to come together as one and show love and support whilst mourning the lives lost.

“It didn’t matter your religion, ethnicity, culture or anything,” surfer Amber Hitchens said. “We all came together out of love despite our differences.”

Ms Silvester said common ground was what unified the group. “We are all people you know? We are all New Zealanders and we know what it means to be here.”

The vigil was organised by Cameo Fityus, a leader of Christian Surfers West Auckland.

For those there that are part of Christian Surfers – a community of people that get together to surf, skate, and share the gospel – there was a deeper meaning to the paddle out.

“For me, it was very significant to be able to say, yes this is heart-breaking, and it hurt us and our nation but also God cares and being able to bring that element into it is why I did it,” Ms Silvester said.

For Ms Hitchens, it was a way to offer hope to people feeling helpless in the face of such tragedy. “When massive events like this happen, people don’t know where to go, what to do or how to react.”

After hearing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaking on the importance of coming together as a nation and showing that racism is unacceptable, Ms Hitchens saw the surf vigil as a way of taking a stand. “We all have a voice, so this is a way to show that."