Surf Styles: Take to the waves like a pro with just a few lessons from the best surf instructors in the business.
New Zealand summers are notoriously unpredictable. There are those shy cloudy days, followed by a fit of rebellion with thundering nights and then finally we’re treated to weeks of blinding sunshine. It’s why the New Zealand bucket list is so expansive because a kiwi summer can be four seasons in one day. That’s why it’s important to find joy in an activity that fits the all-weather bill and nothing is more perfect than surfing. Especially because you can enjoy it most days thanks to the genius invention that is the wetsuit. Whether you’re a local, drifter, family visitor or have come to our shores to stay and play, a surfing session needs to be at the top of your bucket list. That’s why we’ve gathered some serious surfing intel so you can discover the top spots to learn to surf this summer.
Best School For Rookies (aka Grommets)
Gisborne, the sleepy beach side town that livens up over the summer months, is known for many things. But it’s been said that “One of the very best things anyone in Gisborne can do is to book in for a ‘learn to surf lesson’ with Frank”. With sound local knowledge, Frank is known around town as the go-to guy for surf lessons. He specialises in teaching beginners and runs a ‘Kids Club’ which focuses on teaching kids about basic surfing techniques and sound water safety practices. So if you’re thinking about taking your little one and their little board to the East Coast shores, best call Frank, he'll make sure it’s done right and proper. And for those mates of yours who always talk about wanting to learn to surf, you can get them a gift certificate, and Frank can help your mate put all that talk into action.
Piha beach, home to NZ’s female surfing champ Mischa Davis, is a mecca for surfing and surfer lovers. Most weekends over summer you will find it packed with surfers in their penguin-esque suits and several bikini-clad mobs of sunbathers. It’s Piha’s iconic Lion Rock though, perched between south and north beaches and creating a sheltered bay, that makes Piha the safest place to learn to surf on Auckland's West Coast. And once you’re game, top competitive surfer and lead instructor at Piha Surf School Zen Wallis, will take you to the best part of the beach on the best tide so that you get the most from your lesson.
Heading South, the coastal beachside suburb of Sumner in Christchurch, makes for a perfect spot to test out your surfing talents. Surf instructor Aaron Lock at Learn to Surf is one of New Zealand’s most experienced surfing instructors and will help guide you as you figure out the ins-and-outs of surfing. Whilst Aaron and his team offer coaching at any age, they specialise in teaching kids, organising school holiday programs and after schools sessions each season.
Best for all-round boarders (aka Eager Beavers)
Muriwai Surf School plays into the hearts of kiwis and travellers alike. They are a kiwi owned and operated family business that boasts an alumni of kiwi surfing legends like school coach, professional surfer Rowan Aish. They offer surfing guidance for both learners and experienced surfers, helping you figure out and hone your craft. They will also hook you up with incredible beach gears, so that you can enjoy our summer waters beyond the quivering instability of a surfboard. So you can work on your longboarding, skimboarding, bodyboarding and surfboarding skills at any point in time.
Taranaki has spawned some of New Zealands surfing greats, including 2009 Taranaki sportsperson of the year and ASP surf tour champion Paige Hareb. It’s no wonder then that surfing is a skill high up on the agenda when you hit this town. Paige believes surfing Taranaki’s varied breaks from a young age gave her the skills to compete against the world’s best. If you’re wanting to test that theory then look no further than Tarawave Surf School. It’s locally owned and operated and run by Gary Buckner who has over 45 years of surfing experience under his belt. Based at Oakura beach, the school is another all-rounder, providing great unique services like tandem boarding, which is where you surf alongside a coach on one board.
BoardSilly Surf & SUP Adventures
If you’ve ever graced our lovely South Island then you know that Kaikoura is a place that cannot be missed on your way down. It boasts some of New Zealand's greatest waves and therefore acts as the hotspot for surfers on the road. If you’re keen to trial those southern waves then BoardSilly Surf & SUP Adventures is the team to call. They will teach you all about water safety, how the boards work in the water and most importantly how to stay up on one. On top of this they can provide you with bodyboards and paddleboards, meaning there’s a board for everyone in your family or group of mates.
Best For Surfing Devotees (aka All I Want To Do Is Surf!)
World-renowned Raglan Surf School has been sharing the joys of surfing at the sandy beach breaks of Ngarunui for over 15 years now and it doesn't look like the team there will be slowing down anytime soon. It’s their commitment to an all-round surfing experience that allows this one to stand out from the rest. For one, they don't require a minimum number of students, which makes for optimal instructor class ratios. They also offer up surf adventures beyond the simple lesson, such as team building surf sessions for groups and women's only surf retreats. This is a surf school that is continually tapping into the future of surfing experiences.
Surfie town Raglan sports more than one surf school and if you’re the kind to devote all your energy to the cause then Solscape Surf School is the place you want to be. Led by Andrew Swinton, an ISA qualified coach with many years experience teaching in NZ and Europe, the team at Solscape Surf School offer an in-house surf experience like no other and match it with an abundance of surf packages and retreats. If you’re keen to devote a full week to mastering the art of surfing, they will have you covered, from coaching and rentals to accommodation in a little set-up known simply as a ‘caboose’. They’ve even got a yoga & surfing retreat in the works, so keep an eye out for that this summer.
Established over 10 years ago in beautiful Mount Maunganui, Hibiscus Surf School is a little gem amongst the surf school pack. Owners Guy and Rebecca live - and surf - by the motto, “the best surfer out there is the one having the most fun”. This rings true in their approach to teaching surfing, offering up a bunch of fun and unique surfing deals like the mens surfing course and ladies surfing weekends. Multi day surf packages are a popular pick for keen and committed surf students, whilst the paddle boarding sessions are great for those wanting to pick up a trendy new sport. As there’s so much on offer, a trip to Hibiscus Surf School would make for a great weekend away with your loved one or a group of mates.
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