Get on board with surfing for summer

If you live in the north and you’ve never tried surfing, Aotearoa Surf instructor Che Burnett says you don’t know what you’re missing.

For a first season of surfing, Che recommends a soft foam board, which sits above the water and is more forgiving.

“Foam boards are half the price and don’t need a bag, so they are great for those first getting into surfing as a hobby,” he says.

To start off with, a board should be six to seven feet long for surfers weighing 60-70kg, or eight to nine feet long for 80kg and above.

He says choosing the right wetsuit is also key, and first timers should get a ‘steamer’ suit with long arms and legs.

“Start with a three-two suit which has 3mm thickness around the torso and organs and 2mm around the arms and legs,” she says.

“It’s good all year round, except for three months during the middle of winter when beginners might not surf anyway.”

He advises to check that a suit is made from good stretchy neoprene as cheap, stiff wetsuits are less comfortable and cause rashes.

According to Che, the region is blessed with bodacious surf breaks north of Omaha.

“The further south you go towards Auckland, the more the swells get blocked by the Hauraki Islands.

“From Pakiri northwards, you get what we call open ocean east coast surf beaches. Te Arai is the most consistent beach for waves from Auckland to Whangarei,” he says.

Che says it’s always a good idea to check the forecast and recommends marineweather.co.nz, which displays wind, swell and tides for up to 10 days.

A one-foot swell is ideal and beginner surfers should not attempt anything above a two-foot swell.

Che says even more important is wind direction and speed.

He says beginners should look for days with either no wind or light offshore winds, both encourage consistent, glassy waves.

Any wind over 30km/h should not be attempted by a beginner.

Che teaches the fundamentals of surfing at Aotearoa Surf in Te Arai, including safety, controlling the board and navigating waves.

He recommends having at least one lesson before making a first attempt.