SURF WELLINGTON SURFING
Taranaki The New Zealand Surf Capital
New Zealand Surf Introduction
The changeable
conditions mean that there are limited surfing challenges around
Wellington it's self . However, the big south swells can hit some
excellent breaks under the right conditions. The long stretches
of sandy coastline curving up through the Manawatu to Wanganui also
offer excellent breaks over sandbanks.
Wellington’s south coast surf is Lyall Bay. This big open bay
has a Maranui Surf Club, members here pioneered surf riding on 5
metre boards back in the 20’s. ‘The Wall’ is the
prime spot in the bay. A sandbank off the end of the airport breakwater
can carry you right to the beach on an good day. Houghton and Island
Bays lie west of Lyall Bay and offer Excellent reef and beach breaks
in a strong south ground swell.
Up the west coast from Wellington brings you to Titahi Bay where
there are excellent beach breaks. Further up the coast, holiday
beaches such as Otaki, Foxton and Himatangi can provide Excellent
breaks at high tide with a heavy west or south-west swell.
Wanganui River mouth (13 kms south of Wanganui) creates a fine left-hand
bar break in a south swell. South Beach across the river also works
at high tide in a big swell. Castlecliff Beach to the north of the
river mouth offers three main beach breaks which work well at high
tide when a swell is running.
Kai-Iwi Beach (16 kms from Wanganui) is a popular swimming and surfing
venue with an irregular beach break at high tide. Waitotara, also
known as ‘The Point’ (32 kms north of Wanganui) has fantastic
left and right-hand reef breaks, which hold up to 4 metre waves
when conditions are suitable.