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Surfing waves in New Zealand are not the best in the world, but there are a few spots that can reach international level. The biggest problem in New Zealand regarding the quality of surfing waves, are the conjunction of the ideal situations of wind and swells. Usually when the swell is pumping the wind is blowing from a wrong direction. Anyway, when these two are right, one can expect absolute funtastic waves. The other negative point but easily solved with a good wetsuit is the cold temperature of the water which varies from cold to freezing depending upon the season of the year, specially in the South Island of New Zealand.
During Summer time (December to March) the sea water temperature on the North Island varies from 12 to 16 degrees Celsius, but one can expect 13 to 14 most of the summer, while the air temperature averages 18 Celsius. The South Island of New Zealand has a much cooler sea and air temperature, something between 10 and 12 degrees of seawater during the summer. It is not that uncommon to surf with seals and penguins around.
During
Winter time
(the rest of the year regarding Surfing) the sea
gets big and stormy. The wind below Wellington
to the tip of the South Island gets really
strong, and the good surfing days become rarer
to happen. Anyway, Kiwi surfers seems not to get
intimidated with the size of the swell, wind, or
freezing waters, even if it is just to spend 15
minutes in the water.
New Zealand Surfers are very friendly with a low level of localism. But some of them do not tolerate infringements of respect when out in the water. Arrogance and drop in someone else' wave, are attitudes not often tolerated in New Zealand's Surf culture. Some places such as Raglan can get really crowded when classic, and turns to occupy the peak can sometimes be observed. Just respect and you will be respected. Also, New Zealand Surfers are very proud of the place they live and the waves they surf in theirs back yard, so, it is not polite to be in the water saying that other beach has better waves than his area. Just good sense and friendly attitude will do the job. Probably you'll make new friends that will tell you about a secret spot in the area he shares only with his friends.
The secret Surfing spots in New Zealand are many, and are not surfed very much even when they are pumping. The reason for this is that New Zealand is not overpopulated, with most of the country's population living in big cities and not many along the coast. A good place can be flat for 6 months in a row and come back to life for only one day, or even few hours. By the time that takes to someone get to that place, the conditions can be already changed. For example: Once we drove around the East Cape of North Island and we spotted very good waves breaking perfect in many different beaches and bays along the route. When that same conditions repeated again, we drove back there and found mushy waves because the wind changed direction in a two hours time lapse that took us to get there.
| F.A.Q.:
Do I take my board or buy
one there? |
| A.:
The problem is that many air companies charge extra
to transport big volumes. If you love your
surfboards(s) and the air company is not charging
you, take it. New Zealand has great shapers and
great surfboards for sale. A new one costs about NZ$
700, and a second hand one from NZ$ 150 depending
about the age and conditions. Any surf shop in New
Zealand sells new and second hand boards. |
Most famous
Surfing Spots in New Zealand:
| Northland
(North of Auckland) |
In
the region of Wangarei has waves for both sides,
rights and lefts.
Ocean Beach and Mangawai are the best. If
flat the best is to try the West coast and
Bailys
Beach always has something to have fun. If to big,
go to Kaitia for the lefts of the Shipwreck,
which is a long ride almost as long as Raglan. Shipwreck
needs a very big SW swell. |
| Around Auckland |
Auckland
has no waves because it is a bay.
Piha is the nearest surfing beach (45 min.by
car). Other beaches nearby Piha such as Muriwai,
are difficult to acess by also much less crowd. |
| Coromandel
Peninsula |
Two
hous by car from Auckland you'll have acess to many
beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula. Between Pauanui e Whangamata,
is the part with some surfable waves. When big it
closes out. |
| Bay of
Plenty |
Mt.
Maunganui has many beach breaks peaks spread along a
long beach. Closes out when big. Matakana Isl. has
the best wave but you need a boat to get there or
you can cross the bar on your surfboard and walk for
about 30 min. |
| Wakatane
& East Cape |
In
front of Wakatane bar a excellent wave. The bad news
is that wave breaks only once or twice a year. All
the East Cape has some waves but needs the right
condictions. |
| Gisborne |
One
of the most consistent surfing areas of New Zealand.
The best waves are at the beaches to the North.
Breaks better during winter time. |
| Raglan
|
Is
the name of a small community nearby Hamilton. Has
the best wave in New Zealand. 3 Points Many Bay, Whale Bay e Indicators
can produce classic and international
surf. It can get really crowded with some
disagreements in the water Here
a page about Raglan |
| New
Plymouth & Taranaki |
Just
like Gisborne, the region have many beach breaks.
Big swells during winter but sometimes closes
out. |
| Wellington |
Wellington is inside a bay and has no waves, but on the other side of the mountain the region receives big swells from Antarctica. Lyall Bay is the best beach. The sea water is very cold and the wind unpredictable. |
| Nelson |
Nelson
is a port inside a bay with no waves. Anyway, on the
West beaches there are some waves, but very few
acess. Also is shark infested waters. |
| Kiakoura |
20Km
North of Kiakoura there is a right point break
called Maungamanu. It is difficult to get
really big due the angle of the swell. South of
Kiakoura, Kahutara is a perfect right point
with can handle bigger sizes. |
| Christchurch |
Many
surfing beaches but very very cold water. Watch out
for white sharks persuing seals (remmember- Surfers
with wetsuits looks like seals). |
| Dunedin |
Aramoana
is a beach that sometimes has some good waves. Very
cold water. Allans Beach, 1/2 hour South also has
some good waves. In Dunedin St
Clair is the pic but it get very crowded due to bus
lines serving the beach. |
| Invercargill |
Is
an adventure. The sea water is really cold and
that's why there are not many surfers. Have heard
about very good and big waves there and lots of
hyperthermia histories. Very strong. Extreme surf I
call it. |
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