new zealand

[joem]

ok, so im planning on a trip to nz for me gap year i need too raise funds first so will be in 2009/10 will ther be surf in the summer and does anyone have any advice

cheers

[Hang11]

Yeah, there's surf in the summer. I did a trip round NZ a couple of times when I was in university (actually got kicked out of uni for taking the student loan two years in a row and pissing off for 3 months ).

You'll definitely need some transport. Free camping is easy enough in most places. You can pick up an OK van for $3-$4k, insurance isn't a requirement, but worth having and it's cheap. Apart from Auckland, there's bugger all people about. 4m total population, 1m of them in Auckland. There are only 1m people living on the whole of the South Island. You can easily go to places where there is nobody for miles around.

Generally, the further north you go it's warmer, but can be wetter, and the East Coasts tend to be less windy with less swell than the west coasts, but both coasts have great waves.

It starts to warm up in November, summer goes through until April ish.

Places to check out - North Island East Coast - Coromandel, East Cape, Gisborne (great waves), Mahia. North Island West Coast - Raglan, Taranaki (great waves). South Island - East Coast - Kaikoura, Banks Peninsula, Dunedin. South Island West Coast - heaps of spots, usually massive, often onshore, wild and rugged. Worth a couple of weeks of exploring even if you can't surf.

If you go to www.surf2surf.com they sell a decent guide book, which would be a big help in planning a trip.

You definitely need some transport though, and some bug repellant. NZ has these things called sandflies, that really really f*ck you off, you get eaten alive all the time.

If you want to know about anywhere specific, let me know. I've surfed my way round both islands a couple of times.

It's a beautiful country, with a lot more than just surfing to keep you occupied. The tramping is great too. And if you like fishing, you'll be a pig in sh*t.

[billie_morini]

Hang 11,
that is some good stuff. I'm going to save it. Thanks.

[Hang11]

There's some pictures I've taken here mainly South Island.

[joem]

well ive been thinking of gettin a working holliday visa so i can work will im out there, whats accomidation like? i take it that summer isnt like uk summer where the ocean resembles a mill pond. can i drive on a UK lisence

[Hang11]

UK licence is fine in NZ for a year, plenty of accommodation everywhere, cheap backpackers all over the place. It's generally a fair bit cheaper than the UK for stuff like that.

Plenty of waves in summer. Just avoid Christchurch, where I live, probably the worst waves in the country, and not too flash at all during summer. Nice place tho.

[joem]

how expensive are boards down there

[RJD]

how expensive are boards down there

What sort of board?

New shorties $600-1000, new longboards $900-1600 or so.

Checkout www.traedme.co.nz for used.

[joem]

was think of sumthing like a single fin egg. what kid of rubber will i need

[joem]

what kind of wettie will i need

[RJD]

what kind of wettie will i need

Depends where you are! And when.

Christchurch I'm always in a wettie, 3/2 in late spring/summer/Earlu autumn.

4/3 boots & gloves in winter. Water temp is 5-6 in winetr up to 20ish at peak in summer.

If your way up north you prolly dont need a wettie in summer.

Dunedin , well, it gets cold in dunners....

[Hang11]

Best thing would be a decent GBS 3/2 full suit, a neoprene vest, and boots.

Boots for reefs/points anyway, some places you can surf in shorts and vest, other places 3/2 and other places a 3/2 and vest would be best.