Whangamata would have probably outbid Disneyland as the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ during this year’s Beachhop (held from 26th- 30th April 2014) when an estimated 100,000 people descended on the Coromandel town to see classic American cars and motorbikes and soak up the priceless Rock’n’Roll atmosphere. Ray White Whangamata were also out in force – rolling out their retro inspired bikes for the occasion.
The Whangamata Beach Hop is New Zealand’s leading Nostalgia Festival that celebrates the best of the 50s & 60s. Held in the beautiful seaside resort of Whangamata on the Coromandel Peninsula. The first Beach Hop was held in Whangamata in April 2001 and was established to coincide with the local Rock’n’Roll Club’s (Coastal Rockers) birthday hop. A group of individuals established the one day festival to draf people to the town – and it was estimated that around 6,000 people attended the first event with $3000 raised and donated to the Onemana and Whangamata Surf Life Saving Clubs as well as the Whangamata Volunteer Coastguard. The 2002 Beach Hop Festival really put Whangamata on the map with over 10,000 attending – making it one of the largest events in the Coromandel area with entrants coming from as far away as Wellington and Kaitaia. Since then
Located on the eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, about 2 hours drive from Auckland and 1 ½ hours from Hamilton and Tauranga, Whangamata is a favourite summer-time holiday resort with appoximately half of the regions houses being holiday homes. The town is perhaps best known for its beautiful sandy beaches, surfing, fishing and diving. Water based recreation is also popular hence local water safety organisations are often the recipients of Beach Hop profits. In the summer months the resident population of 4,000 swells to over 50,000 – fortunately the town is geared to handle large crowds with many motels, cafés, bars and restaurants.
This year Ray White Whangamata gave away two retro-styled yellow push bikes during the five-day festival and received approximately 2,000 entries to the competition. On Sunday, 30th April the winners were drawn under police supervision. The lucky new owners of the yellow bikes are Ian Styles and Doug Bentham (Doug pictured here with Steve and Trish Morrison, owners & principals of Ray White Whangamata) – congratulations to the proud new bike owners!
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