New Zealand Surfing - The Break Of Your Life
New Zealand is ringed around by the sea and is the ultimate natural surfing haven all the year round with a heady mix of perfect waves ideal for beginners and experienced surfers alike.
Swells hit both the North and South Island of New Zealand from all directions right through the year. To have an unforgettable time on the waves, you only need to know the weather conditions. Surfing provides great local connections which can lead you to unknown local surfing secrets.
On a 15,000 km coastline, you can find beach, river mouth, reef and point breaks. Aotearoa has it all on a platter. It is your choice!
If you are a newbie, New Zealand is the ideal place where you can learn to surf at the numerous surf schools. Nothing like learning in Paradise! You can add surfing skills to your existing arsenal and show it off when the right opportunity presents itself.
If you are not sure, the best thing is to join a surf tour and let the tour guides reveal the surfing secrets. At all major surfing spots, you can find organised tours, heli tours and surfing gear for hire.
It is not just the breaks but the beauty of the incredible coastline, the unique flora and fauna and the isolated beaches that will make your surfing adventure so fulfilling.
New Zealand, for a small country with a large coastline offers such a wide assortment of surfing opportunities. You can travel around so easily and pick out the right break along with the weather that suits you on that day. The range on offer is just unbelievable.
Switching from the West Coast to the East Coast is no effort. If you prefer the warmer climate, you can surf in the Northern tropical waters. Else, the cold southern Antarctic waters can be equally inviting. There is a variety of conditions in between these extremes.
Surfing in New Zealand is a mainstream adventure sport today due to advanced design of surf boards manufactured, brought about by enhanced technology. This has created an advanced breed of surfers with super skills consisting of faster turns and expanded set of manoeuvres.
The surfing activities in New Zealand come under the umbrella of its parent body, Surfing New Zealand. It is reposnible for conducting the various local and international surfing competitions.
You are well advised to do some research on your own when it comes to a surf vacation in New Zealand. It is a very popular adventure sport and the opportunities are endless. The site www.surf.co.nz is a great starting point.
Points to Note:
- If you are new to surfing, take a lesson or two from a trained instructor and learn the basics well before you venture furhter.
- Avoid running and diving into the water near the shore. Walk into the surf.
- Do not surf into a pier. Stay away from it as far as possible.
- Even professional surfers suffer accidents like broken neck, spinal injuries and paralysis when they get dumped into a sandbar while riding waves. Such accidents also occur when unable to anticipate a condition.
- Surfing is largely territorial sport. Avoid fighting with local groups and/or other surfers.
- Avoid going into the water after a rain. Surfers can develop flu, nausea and other illnesses.
- Rains also cause increase in bacterial levels. Surfers are prone to related infections. It is best to discuss with lifeguards and/or locals regarding water quality.
- Do not swim alone and if unsure, stay out of the water.
- Do not consume alcohol/drugs before you go out to surf.
- Always check out the weather conditions at the local surf club, with the lifeguards or the locals.
- It is vital to know about the ocean conditions to avoid instances of rip currents which are swift currents of backwash rushing back into the sea. Choppy foam or discoloured water indicate r
