Smorgasboarder_11_May-2012

TRAVEL
SURF TRIP
We have to come back. We have unfinished business. There’s a million breaks north and
south we didn’t surf, major surf destinations we didn’t even visit such as the Coromandel
Peninsula, Mount Maunganui and Gisborne, and some of the breaks we visited, we didn’t
score at their best.
And we haven’t even discussed snowboarding...
As the active panel of three that did the trip through both islands, we thought we’d wrap
up with our personal snapshots of the trip
BEST SURF?
DAVE: The standout was Piha. Good size
and nice, clean waves. You felt like you
were surfing in a huge amphitheatre.
BEN: Dunedin. Absolute perfection.
MARK: Scarborough Beach, Christchurch.
Super clean little lines.
QUALITY/ CONSISTENCY
OF NZ BREAKS
DAVE: A massive variety of breaks and
conditions. I had read it can be fickle but in
my opinion that could not be further from
the truth. No less fickle than many parts
of Australia. Don’t know why more surfers
don’t visit.
BEN: There always seemed to be swell. I
liked the fact the east and west coast were
a relatively short distance apart, which
meant if you were looking for the ideal
conditions you didn’t have to travel too far.
MARK: There was something for
everyone. All skill levels. Hell, even for me.
NORTH OR
SOUTH ISLAND?
DAVE: Couldn’t split them. Both were
magic and absolutely stunning. The North
Island was lush and green like a set out of
Jurassic Park. The south island had that
grandeur with its snow capped peaks,
deep blue sea and European style villages.
BEN: I found the south more scenic as
there was such a dramatic variation in
scenery from mountains to beaches. I was
surprised how different the south island
was to the north considering their close
proximity to each other.
MARK: The North Island’s landscape was
far more removed from what I am used to
seeing - an awesome change of scenery.
FAVOURITE CITY/ TOWN?
DAVE: Dunedin. Love the Scottish heritage.
BEN: Dunedin. It just looks like a lot of
fun. It was a lot of fun.
MARK: Piha. It’s a dramatic place, unlike
anything you’re likely to see. The sheer
presence of the landscape is insane.
HOW WOULD I RATE NZ
AS A DESTINATION FOR A
SURF TRIP?
DAVE: An absolute must.
BEN: It probably wasn’t a surf destination
I had truly considered but is now a place I
would love to go back to, RIGHT NOW.
MARK: Fantastic. 100% unbelievable, but,
you have to not mind suiting up in rubber.
WE ALL AGREE...
The one thing we all agreed upon was
that if you had to base your decision
on the overall experience, the ease of
getting around and how affordable it is
to visit, you would be hard pressed not to
include New Zealand as one of the top five
destinations in the world.
Useful
guides
We also must give special thanks to the many people who made this such an enjoyable trip.
NEW
ZEALAND
TOURISM
For laying out the
welcome mat. We
can’t wait to come
back.
110 may/jun 2012
BRITZ
A special thanks to
Kate Meldrum for
all her assistance.
Our motorhome
made for the
ultimate surf trip.
It is without doubt
the best way to
explore the coast.
A home and ready
made meals on
wheels, easy to
get around and
a great way to
travel with all your
boards and gear.
SHAPERS
You enabled us
to realise our aim
of surfing nothing
but Kiwi boards.
Without them we
would have been
left high and dry.
A big thanks to
Roger Hall, Mike
Jolly, Mickey T,
Jay Jackman and
Graham Carse.
WETSUIT
AND GEAR
SUPPLIERS
A big thanks
as well to the
many businesses
involved in
our extensive
gear testing
conducted in NZ.
We experienced
firsthand the best
of the best in the
latest wetsuits and
surf gear.
Special thanks to
Paul Zarifeh from
Seventhwave for
well and truly
going out of his
way to welcome
us to his great
country.
KIWIS
For restoring our
faith in humanity.
In an all too often
cynical society
they convinced
us there are still
plenty of good
people out there.
A very special
thank you to Gus
and Donna from
The Top Shop in
Kaikoura for the
most outstanding
display of
hospitality from
complete strangers
we have ever
experienced.
NZ SURF
BUSINESSES
Looking for
smorgasboarder
over in NZ? Drop
by the shops,
shaping bay
and businesses
featured here.
By supporting them
you’re supporting
us and we can
ensure you keep
getting your copy
of the mag for
grassroots surfers.
For more details
go to www.
smorgasboarder.
com.au