Endless Summer: The best late surf breaks in New Zealand

Wainui Beach

Wainui Beach is a stretch of sand that attracts amateurs and pros all year round.

Salt Shack Surf School was started by siblings Holly and Jay Quinn. They have surf-comp marshals for parents, their brother Mazz Quinn is in the sporting hall of fame, and all three siblings have represented New Zealand at surfing. Catching waves is the family business.

Surfing siblings: Salt Shack's founders Jay and Holly Quinn are former NZ champions. Photo / Shelly Down, File

Surfing siblings: Salt Shack's founders Jay and Holly Quinn are former NZ champions. Photo / Shelly Down, File

With busy holiday and after-school programmes, the mellow late summer is a great time to book a lesson. After three years in Kapiti, Salt Shack has moved back to Gisborne. They also run Womens' surf and yoga camps. With yoga instruction from Kiri Sutherland, it's balanced board-based bliss.

Group and private lessons can be booked on request.

saltshacksurfschool.com

Bay of Plenty

From Waihī through Papamoa to Ōhope, the sandy Pacific waves of the Bay of Plenty were made for surfers.

Papamoa

From Waihī through Papamoa to Ōhope, the sandy Pacific waves of the Bay of Plenty were made for surfers.

Maunganui Beach is one of New Zealand's favourite beaches.

At the foot of Mauao, the beach is a natural creche for surf schools. Hibiscus is where many Kiwis have got their big break on an introduction to surfing. Running lessons on the Main Beach and Tay St Beach, just off the boardwalk, it's conveniently close to the surf shops and post-swim coffees.
surfschool.co.nz

Waihī

A quieter spot can be found on the golden sands of Waihī Beach, at the bottom of the Coromandel. The 9km strand is home to Waihī Beach surf school. Coach Aidan Comrie runs lessons all year round.
beachsurfschool.co.nz

Ōhope

On the other side of the bay, lined by 11 km of Norfolk Island pines, Ōhope Beach is another favourite for Aucklanders. The slip and slide might have been packed up for the summer, but Salt Spray Surf School runs lessons until the end of April.

Hibiscus Surf School teach at the foot of Mount Maunganui. Photo / Bay of Plenty, NZ

Hibiscus Surf School teach at the foot of Mount Maunganui. Photo / Bay of Plenty, NZ

Waikato

Manu Bay and Raglan's world-renowned breaks are hard to ignore.

Raglan

Manu Bay and Raglan's world-renowned breaks are hard to ignore.

It shot to fame in a 1966 cult surf movie appropriately named Endless Summer.

The Endless Summer: Raglan's Manu Bay first made a splash in cult surf films of the 60s. Photo / Handout

Home to what might be the world's longest left-hand break, you don't have to be a surfing guru to appreciate Raglan.

Raglan Surf School run classes and board hire in these hallowed waters. They also run family lessons for mixed ages and abilities, proving it's never too late, or early to learn.
raglansurfingschool.co.nz

The Endless Summer: Raglan's Manu Bay first made a splash in cult surf films of the 60s. Photo / Handout

Wellington

Welly's urban surfers can catch a break without leaving the city

Wellington's surfers can catch a break without leaving the city. Lyall Bay attracts hardy urban surfers and beginners who are just dipping their toes. Wellington Surf Lessons run regular clinics in the Cook Strait and tours out as far as the Kapiti Coast and Castle Point.

A novel option is the Surf-Skate workshops to help you learn to carve on concrete waves. Knee pads, boards and helmets included.

wellingtonsurflessons.co.nz

A Kids' surf-skate workshop with Wellington Surf Lessons. Photo / Supplied

A Kids' surf-skate workshop with Wellington Surf Lessons. Photo / Supplied

Taranaki

Dubbed the 'Surf Highway', the 45 connects bays to surfies cruising the coast.

Under the focal point of the Maunga the Egmont/Taranaki Bight is almost completely surrounded by a choice of beaches. Dubbed the 'Surf Highway', the 45 connects bays to surfies cruising the coast.

Ōakura

If you're looking for a place to start, just outside of New Plymouth is the scenically situated Ōakura. Taranaki's Jono Heath is a local legend and founder of Vertigo Surf where he has been giving Kiwi's surf lessons since 1995.
vertigosurf.com

New Plymouth

Back towards town at Fitzroy Beach, Karine Bödeker runs New Plymouth Surf School. The school hands out surf lessons and soft tops for ages 7 and up. Close to the coastal cycle path into central New Plymouth, it's a favourite beach for locals and visiting surfers.
newplymouthsurfschool.com

Canterbury

Who say's the Kaikōura coast isn't for beginners?

Kaikōura

Kaikōura's coast of crags and imposing mountains offer the kind of breaks that eat novice surf groms alive. You'll see utes pulled up to cross the Coastal Pacific tracks for some truly heart-in-mouth surfing. There are also beginner-friendly breaks. Kiwi Surf is the perfect place to learn surf safety in the water. They run SUP lessons and surf tours on the low tide every day. Run by Dave Lyons, the SNZ Level 2 International Surf Coach also offers one-on-one tuition.

kiwisurfexp.co.nz

Hawke's Bay

Dip your toes on the other side of Hastings

Waimārama

On the other side of Hawke's Bay, the chalk cliffs of te Motu-o-Kura welcome you to Waimārama beach. Equally welcoming are ISA accredited coaches Bronson Primmer and Jeremy Evan.

At $40 a pop - wetsuit and board for one and a half hours - it's the perfect place to dip your toes.
facebook.com/HawkesBaySurfSchool

West Coast

Find a surf sanctuary on the coast

Westport

The coast has a fearsome reputation among surfers. Learning on giant steamroller waves, Westies can hang 10 with the best. If you're building up to ride the giants, there are plenty of sandy coves which have become the perfect training ground for aspiring surfies.

Near Westport, West Coast Surf teaches on the sands of Tauranga Bay. Snowboarder and surf coach, Mark Perana has been giving lessons at this West Coast surf creche for 25 years. His pupils and mentees include some of New Zealand's best surf champions.
wcsurf.co.nz

Surf emersion: Lessons at Bazil's surf hostel in Westport. Photo / Development West Coast

Surf emersion: Lessons at Bazil's surf hostel in Westport. Photo / Development West Coast

For full immersion and to take your skills to the next level, book a stay at Bazil's Surf School and Hostel. There are winter specials on coaching for guests.
Bazil's runs board hire, accommodation and super popular summer surf-yoga camps. With options for private rooms and ensuite, these book out early. Something to book into early, while you wait for your next summer surf break.
bazils.com