Taihape local Curly Troon has been honoured for his contribution to the sport of gumboot-throwing with a Toyota Lifetime Legacy to Rural Sports Award.
Curly Troon at Gumboot Lane in Taihape Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
Curly was born, bred and still lives in Taihape - "the gumboot capital of the world" - where he works for a local fertiliser company.
He believes it was Fred Dagg (the iconic Kiwi character played by comedian John Clarke) who started the sport in New Zealand and "used to chuck off at Taihape".
Three or four times a year, you'll find Curly at a community boot-throwing event in the town and his biggest throw so far is 38.7 metres.
Curly says he'd love to get to 40 metres but time isn't on his side - and he also doesn't do any training.
"You just do it on the day and hope you have good luck."
Any time of year, visitors to Taihape that are keen to throw a boot will find some old ones to have a go with at Gumboot Throwing Lane, Curly says.
"As you can see they're not the world's best gumboots. They do get changed every now and then, which is good."
For his Rural Sports Award, Curly gives special thanks to the New Zealand Boot Throwing Association and the Taihape community district.
