Think im gonna surf New Zealand on my GAP year - any advice?

[Duncs]

Yo

From the end of April/Early May i finish at my current work placement. I then have money i saved and time [until October when i start Uni] to travel the world.

Im currently trying to choose a destination,...or continent to go to. Hopefully i want to have a balance of surf, and mountians, cause i like mountaineering/ice-climbing etc as well.

Now i think for my first major "travelling destination" i would like to go to an English Speaking area, that isn't a current dangerous hot-spot like Columbia!!

So far New Zealand is topping my list, not least because of the culture that exists there of extreme sports n stuff!!!

I have a dream of just chilling between different surf spots, y'know sleeping in hostels, oh and lots of lovely young ladies too.

SO,.....any advice on surfing New Zealand. Is it a good surf destination? Im a beginner, so it needs to be able to cater for that [hopefully by the time i come back i should be quite competent]. Also the time of year im planning to go is winter there right? That won't be too cold will it?

Any advice is appreciated anyway,

Cheers

Duncs

[surf patrol]

New Zealand is a great choice - there are some classic waves. I was over there a few months ago and had a great time. I was also there a few years back.
There are waves all over, and surf from 1ft to 21ft! so there is something for everyone. Most of the major cities are located near the surf so if you want to work and surf you can.
Both Islands are beautiful, and both have good surf and mountains. I think the best bit about the surf in New Zealand is the lack of crowds, you can always find an empty wave.
Winter in New Zealand is bloody cold, but it will be no colder than if you are going to be surfing in England throughout the winter. It's a bit warmer on the North Island if the cold is going to be a problem.
My favorite surf places in NZ are Magnet Bay on the Banks Peninsular and up at Kaikoura. I did'nt surf the North Island but there are some superb waves - you have probably heard of Stent Road and Raglan.
The good thing about New Zealand is that they are really geared up for tourism, and there are loads of places to stay.

Who's got some information on surfing in New Zealand. Have any Kiwi's got info for Duncs and his surf trip?

[OODAKS OF THE NAKI]

Dude, sounds like a great plan.

April/May/Jun are some of the best months for surf as its autum and you get the early glassy winter swells with warmish water ( Feb and Sep being the other two good sytandout months, tho anytimes a good time ).

Raglan's worth a trip - its not so bad in winter crowd-wise, try mid week anyway, the locals are cool as long as you are too.

Being from Taranaki ( tho currenlty living in your inland surfless city of Manchester! ) I tell you now - go there! You'll find a selection of spitting beach breaks, long peeling point breaks, rock bank/reef breaks, groynes, river mouths, the blackest sand on earth too - the absolute works. And best of all, small crowds ( some days you find yourself looking for a break with others out just for company! ), and an ability to nearly always find a decent wave, as you have coastline facing nearly all directions - its the big lump sticking out the West Coast of the North Island halfway down. I surfed with some brits in Portugal last year, and these guys spent about 2 years there! Pack your snowboard and 20 mins inland you could be scoring fresh powder too.

Go check the purenz website and look the place up. New Plymouth is the main city, Taranaki is the province.

And dude, its off the tourist trail, those who 'go' 'know', the locals are friendly, and NZ has enough sheep anyway - don't be one yourself!

Other places - Gizzy on the East Coast, the Corromandel if its on ( tho go anyway, its stunning ). Kaikoura rocks, Christchurch is not that great for waves, but Dunedin and The Catlins way down south fire some of the larger waves to be found. Fourtune favours the brave down there in winter. As far as the big four cities go, Auckland has the most to offer surf/workwise, Wellington doesnt get much waves, Christchurch is so-so, Dunedin is a treat.

Go hard dude!

[Duncs]

Muchos gracia OODAKS OF THE NAKI

Your comments are very informative, and will be very useful in planning the trip out. I'll let you know where i decide to go!!! Looking forward to it though!

[def]

yeh heres my advice: dont go the NZ. trust me either u will get ur ass kicked by surf gangs like black power or maroi mob of will get ur nice board dented in air new zealands shotty carrying. if u got the money to go that far, hit indo.

[OODAKS OF THE NAKI]

The Black Power and the Mongrel Mob ( Maroi?? no such word brother, i guess you mean Maori ) are both motorcycle gangs and have nothing to do with surfing in NZ. Some places around Gisbourne can get a bit rough, but I dunno how/where/why Def had his obviously bad experience?

Its a bit crap if Def had a bad run in with the wrong people - xxxxx can happen anywhere tho - take Def's advice understanding that.

I can't vouch for any airline - its always a risk - get luggage insurance - get over it.

Indo's magic.

Surfing anywhere's magic.

[surf patrol]

I found New Zealand one of the better places to surf attitude wise. There are so many accessible waves that if you find that your break is getting busy you can probably find one 20 mins away that is empty.
I found a busy Australian lineup is more aggro than a busy NZ lineup (generalising of course), occurences of aggro in NZ were pretty rare.

My advice - if you are surfing anywhere try to get away from the crowds - that's where the hassle starts.

[nz girl]

you should come surf in dunedin, st clairs is probably the most accessable beach and good for begginners as the waves are usually only round 2-3 foot. also you can hire boards and wetties at the beach and theirs a good shaper just up the road if you don't have any gear with you. the penninsula also has heaps of wicked surf beaches, just watch the seals cos they can be agressive. also you should invest in a decent wettie, lots of guys get by with 3ml but i have a 4/3 which is primo for cold dunedin conditions. also its a student town and has the best night life and heaps of backpackers, and we're only an hour or so from the catlins so its definatley a sweet place to base yourself if you are planning on hitting the south island