New Zealand

[pacnwaaron]

So myself and my gf will be taking a journey by the end of 2010. we will be wwoofing our way though south pacific and asia. New Zealand is desination that we are very excited about.
Any tips or people who want to meet up and share some pints and some surf please leave some feed back.

We have just gotten into the surf scene here in Oregon and its has got the itch started. So any help with surf shops or online that have discount surf sales or people who are looking to sell used boards would be awesome.

We 25 and looking to have some surf memories.


Cheers

[Supafly]

Trademe.co.nz generally has pretty much everything (its NZ's version of eBay) and you should be able to find some cheap sticks on their (found both my boards on there and love them both)

Also bring a good wettie if you are surfing Wellington, even Taranaki and the especially the South Island as the water is still fairly cold in summer. I would definitely recommend Dunedin. It is cold, but has amazing waves pretty much everywhere; especially Aromoana - and it is a breath taking place to surf with loads of wildlife and tiny crowds. Also the local shaper at Quarry Beach is a great guy and you will be able to ask him anything and will help you out. It is also where the movie "Out of the Blue" was based on where a resident in the tiny quiet town went on a massacre there something like 20years ago.

Here is just a taste of Aromoana

[pacnwaaron]

Thanks for the tips I'll give that site a go around. Hopefully we can find something reasonable. I have been reading alot on Dunedin, seems like the place to go. Is it a good spot for beginners? Im used to wetties living in Oregon, hoping to get out of it once and a while, do the waters warm up a bit towards the end of the summer? My buddy said that Raglands is pretty nice as well, I think we will be hitting a bunch of areas in NZ once we get there, we have tons of free time.
Once again thanks for the advise.

[libby]

Hey,

I spent a year in New Zealand studying, it is such a beautiful country! Places I surfed (although I was just a beginner at the time) were Mt Maunganui, lots of different breaks on the Coromandel, many breaks in Northland...basically far too many to mention, just get yourself an NZ surf guide book and some wheels and have fun! Another place thats meant to be pretty epic is the Gisbourne area, although i never made it down there my partner worked as a surf instructor there for a while. There are epic waves on South Island too, so get exploring.

I'm jealous

[Supafly]

Umm Dunedin during the winter can get a bit hairy but then there are a few mellow spots like blackhead (also was one of my favourite spots as it tends to have a very nice peeling left when the other places aren't working so well) but you should be fine as long as you got a mate because you will find there will be very few people out with you.

Yea the North Island area from Gisbourne to Piha/Raglan and above are warm around that time of the year and is possible to surf in boardies around that time. Both of those places I would also Highly recommend you visit, as both have some of NZ's best waves.

If you driving between them/up and down the country, especially from Dunedin to Picton (where you will catch the ferry) be sure to stop by Kaikoura, you will be able to see seals and other wildlife if you missed out in Dunedin just off the road and a little further on from Kaikoura "town" are some more great spots for a surf. But yea as Libby said, buy the NZ Surf Guide (roughly $50 i think) and that will give you detailed info on pretty much every spot in NZ

[Hang11]

Catlins, Dunedin, Kaikoura, Taranaki, Gisborne, Coromandel.

You;ll have a blast. This is the book to get http://www.surf2surf.com/surf-guide.php

All great, but make the effort to get to the Catlins. Best advice I can give is to make the effort to spend time at all of those places, they're not always epic, but wait it out, and they will be.

[Supafly]

All great, but make the effort to get to the Catlins. Best advice I can give is to make the effort to spend time at all of those places, they're not always epic, but wait it out, and they will be.

Catlins for a learner?? I don't think its a good place if he is learner. Especially if he waits for it to fire. Gets quite large and powerful does it not? I know there are sheltered places but still.

Great place for a tourist tho I will agree. Maybe he can catch it when its having its smaller mellow days

[pacnwaaron]

maybe my the end of my travels i could hit catlins. thanks for the heads up. things are looking good for the trip. gonna be wwoofing and think were gonna get some wheels too.

[Hang11]

Porpoise Bay in the Catlins would be perfect if you're a learner, heaps of dolphins around and great scenery etc. Probably best to avoid Papatowai on a big day though.

[pacnwaaron]

Nice I have been scoping out that porpoise bay area and it looks awesome. found some pretty cool wwoofing areas in the south thinking that it would be good to stay in that area for a while.

[hopey8]

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New Zealand
Postby pacnwaaron » Fri Apr 16, 2010 10:57 am
So myself and my gf will be taking a journey by the end of 2010. we will be wwoofing our way though south pacific and asia. New Zealand is desination that we are very excited about.
Any tips or people who want to meet up and share some pints and some surf please leave some feed back.
We have just gotten into the surf scene here in Oregon and its has got the itch started. So any help with surf shops or online that have discount surf sales or people who are looking to sell used boards would be awesome.
We 25 and looking to have some surf memories.
Cheers

Hey Pacnwaaron.

Me and my gf are doing the same as you guys did and headin to new zealand this month. i surf in this country ( South England) and am just getting of my 7"9 min mal.
Was just wondering how you guys got on with the surf and what wetsuit your using as ive brought my one from england but it is only 1.5mm thick i think ( summer suit). If you managed to get a decent cheap second hand board?
Be good to get some feedback from you dude as it seems we are doing what you have done

Take it easy.