So I am going to New Zealand this summer(winter for y’all?) in mid July and staying until mid-august. I was wondering if I would be set if I brought along a 6’0 rounded pin potato chip, a 6’2 rounded pin quad fin potato chip, and either a 5’8 blunt nose hybrid fish or a longboard? We are planning on traveling most of the country. Do you think I would be set on boards or should I bring one gunnier board. I ain’t a big cat but I am a strong paddler and can handle fast waves on smaller than “average” boards. Also, what should I bring wetsuit wise? Right now I am currently equipped to handle 4.5+ degree C. water. Thanks for any help and suggestions.
-Alex
north island westcoast a 3/2 is okay
but i would recomend a seam sealed 4/3 if you want to surf anywhere else
good booties and gloves and a hood if you want to surf in eastcoast of the south island
i imagein a normal shorty and something like a mini gun
as the waves can often get double overhead or bigger with thick lips
depends where you go
but when your wearing all that rubber and cop a pasting in cold water. well you what its like
forget the mal
theres some great small points but the river bars and ledgy reefs is what its all about
bring the 6 or 6 2
and a mini gun pintail to suit your hight
That time of year in NZ you can get anything from 2 foot peelers to 15 ft howling offshore madman tow in stuff. Where are you planning on visiting?
Not to hijack this thread, but i have been plotting the same trip for quite a while, hope to leave around the same time.
To the Kiwi’s: Would it be possible to ride a bicycle around the bulk of the North Isle? Road Conditions, traffic, terrain, etc…
Seems like a fun way to travel, go small distances every few days along the coastlines, and cheap too.
thanks for any helpful hints
J
Lots of people do the bike trip, it looks like it would be really fun. The main concerns that I can think of would be- most NZ roads, especially off of the main highway, are narrow and twisty with little to no shoulder and tons of blind corners and have heaps of logging and cattle/sheep trucks barreling along at 115kph or so. As long as you keep an eye/ear out for them you’ll be fine. Probably the other major concern is the wind, NZ is a windy place and it’s no fun riding into a 20-50 knot headwind all day. Lots of hills and climbs but lots of beautiful scenery too. Tons of backpackers and places to stay, and lots of really good chipshops to eat at! Winter can be rainy and quite cold in spots, but still has its share of beautiful days. Northland has a milder winter than most of the rest of the country.
Thanks for the advice, I think I will bring around a 6’4 -6’6 semi gun. On this note, since I don’t have a semi-gun, I am prepared to offer any SC-NC-VA swaylockians a deal. I have a CLARK 6’2" C that I currently have no use for and would be willing to trade for a Clark shortboard blank and a little bit of cash or two PU shortboard blanks from another company like Walker, etc. Thanks once again for the help.
-Alex