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Photo courtesy of
Tourism Bay of Plenty
Deep in the Southern Ocean, situated
in the temperate latitudes between 35 and 50 degrees
south, New Zealand is part of a weather cycle in which
warm, low pressure air from the equator meets cold,
high-pressure air from the South Pole. This is known
as the Roaring Forties, westerly winds which have constant
and high speeds. Consequently New Zealand feels the
full force of the Roaring Forties and the swells that
are forced to march up out of the deep. But that's not
all, New Zealand can pick up swell from just about anywhere.
Waves can be generated from the south, the east, the
west and the north. This is why New Zealand has so many
diverse surf spots, spread over the coastline of the
two islands. Conditions vary and there are wave sizes
to keep any surfer happy.
It is no wonder that we are passionate
about surfing, our 6,000 kms of exposed coastline offers
some of the most consistent and crowd free surfing in
the southern hemisphere. The variety of surf breaks
is simply awesome - from clean barrels rolling onto
pure white sand beaches on the east coast, to gnarly
freight train sets pounding rugged west coast beaches.
Check out our ‘supertubes’ with one kilometre
long joy rides at Ahipara and the consistently perfect
peelers at our hottest surf spot, Raglan. Experience
giant steamrollers and Malibu-style wave sets at Murderer’s
Bay in Dunedin, as well as velvet-smooth tunnels at
Gisborne.
Our beaches can be surfed all year
round. The North Island has very warm temperatures in
summer (December-March) and wet suits are not usually
needed. The South Island waters are colder and generally
call for some neoprene protection.
The long insular shape of the country means that you
can quickly move across from one coast to the other.
So wherever you are in the country there’s bound
to be a good break nearby. A glance at the local weather
map will tell you which coast has the right swell.
What make s the culture of surfing
distinct in New Zealand, is its growth through surf-lifesaving.
In other countries, surfing developed early on as a
kind of loafer counter-culture. Here, it is a sport
for anyone and features no one specific stereotype,
you could be in the water with a doctor or lawyer one
minute and a plumber painter the next. It is so popular
with young New Zealanders, that it is even available
as a sport option in some high schools. We see it as
an opportunity to challenge nature and the elements,
and to conquer something that can only be conquered
for a moment in the great out doors. Surfing is now
one of New Zealand’s fastest growing recreational
sports.
Big- Wave Surfing in the Deep South
In a place known as the Deep South,
is a region stretching from Dunedin to the bottom end
of the South Island. Geographically the area is wide
open to big uninterrupted Southern Ocean swells ranging
from 1 m-3m, but 4m to 6m-plus waves are a regular occurrence
throughout the year and has all the makings of a big
wave rider's dream. So if you are an experienced thrill
seeker wanting to put everything on the line then hunt
out the Deep South big-wave scene that has begun to
emerge lately - a tight but significant core of eager
and able surfers who are paddling and towing into ever
more serious slabs of ocean. Centre (Rarotoka) Island
and Papatowai are two formerly obscure spots which have
regularly been ridden in the last few years, and new
discoveries and previously untameable Shark Island-type
waves have started to tempt those willing to brave the
consequences and the cold.
But in New Zealand, size comes at a
price. The trade-off for being the only part of the
country to receive genuine big waves is the biting cold
and radical weather. Even on glassy, sunny days, the
full rubber kit from head to toe is essential. Winter
days are often plagued by squally gales of such force
that they make going outside an unlikely option, even
for the farmers.
Some of the Top Spots
Raglan Beach
Famous for surfing, music, artisans,
cafés and bohemian lifestyle’s, the Raglan
community is only 35 minute drive from Hamilton and
just two hours from Auckland on the beautiful west coast
of the North Island. This is a relaxing isolated place
where you can spend time at one of the many black sand
beaches swimming, surfing, and body boarding or just
working on the perfect tan! The area is world renowned
for it's surfing and has some of the best waves in New
Zealand, especially just out of Raglan at Whale Bay
and Manu Bay where clean glassy left handers roll into
the beach. Nearby are the Bridal Veil Falls which are
an impressive sight falling around 60 metres –
well worth a look.
Piha
Piha, Auckland's favourite west coast
beach is probably New Zealand's second best-known surfing
beach after Raglan, and it has a reputation for awesome
surf. It was the birthplace of New Zealand board riding
in 1956 and has been the scene of both New Zealand national
and international surfing championship competitions.
This black ironsand beach is notorious for its rips
and currents, so is not a good beach for novices to
attempt. Two Surf Lifesaving Clubs provide surf patrols
in summer.
Gisborne Surfers Paradise
Fancy a visit to a genuine, laid-back
Kiwi surf town, which boasts some of the best summer
weather, warm water and a bucketful of different surf
breaks to suit board riders? Gisborne’s marvellous
surf beaches have attracted surfers since the early
1960’s. The coastline is affected by long ocean
swells coming from both the east and south so you can
usually catch a wave at one of the local beaches. Dawn
surfing is a buzz because Gisborne is the first place
in the world to see the sunrise each day.
Makorori Point (8 kms from Gisborne) is a famous surf
location, which has all the qualities of a perfect surfing
hangout. A right-hander breaks over a shallow reef system
setting up a long sweeping ride that is a surfer’s
dream. Watch for a south or south-east swell and waves
around 2 metres from mid to high tide for the epic wave
that will replay over and over in your mind.
In summary
There’s all the wave-riding adventure
you could possibly desire on our shores, complemented
by stunning scenery, uncrowded waves, kiwi culture and
friendliness - all absolutely free for your enjoyment.
The surf’s up in New Zealand.
So grab a board, catch a wave, and discover the freedom
of board riding. As they say ‘Life’s a Beach’
- a Kiwi Beach, with perfect point breaks. |