The Sunshine Club is a group of boardriders most surfers would know through its annual event, the Tathra Boardrider Classic – formerly the Cooge Classic.

Held on the June long weekend each year, the Classic sees around 130 surfers of all ages compete on local breaks.

From entry fees to club events throughout the year, as well as any funds made on the Classic weekend, the Sunshine Club donates back to community groups such as the Rural Fire Service, Tathra Landcare, Tathra Hall, the primary and pre-schools, hospital auxiliary and Tathra Lions.

Sunshine Club president Michael Clarke said they also get great support from the Tathra Beach Country Club, which donates money and offers its venue for events such as presentation dinners and band nights.

Mr Clarke said between $1000-1500 is handed out each year by the not-for-profit boardriders club, which is registered through Surfing NSW.

“Surfers are here to help our local clubs,” he said.

“We are non-profit and like to help out whenever we can – we want to give back to the local community.”

On Friday, Mr Clarke and other members of the Sunshine Club presented $200 each to the Tathra RFS, Landacre, hospital auxiliary and Lions Club.

Dave Greenland from Tathra Landcare said the money was welcome and “a big help for us”.

Membership for the Landcare group is its only source of income, so Mr Greenland said the Sunshine Club donation would help cover its public liability insurance.

RFS representative Anthony Taylor said the money could possibly be used for a new generator to assist with lights at night-time firefighting work.