Mount's surfers given even break at last

Surfer Philippe Stassen at Mt Maunganui with construction of the reef going on in the background. Picture / Alan Gibson

Waves are just days away from breaking on the country's first artificial surf reef at Mt Maunganui.

The first of the super-strength plastic bags that form the framework for the reef, which has been 10 years in the making, were laid on the ocean floor during the weekend.

Clear weather and calm seas allowed a barge carrying the bags to manouevre into position after bad weather forced the cancellation of the operation last week.

Sand is now being pumped into the bags and those constructing the reef say the first half is just two or three days away from being complete, causing jubilation among local surfers.

Philippe Stassen, 40, said it was "heaven on Earth" that he would soon be able to ride the fast, hollow waves it is expected to produce.

The 40-year-old hair stylist moved from Auckland to the Mount two years ago for one reason - the reef.

He told real estate agents he wanted a house as close as possible to where it was to be laid.

"I said I didn't care what the house was like."

He was overjoyed when they found him one three streets back and directly in line with the reef.

Mr Stassen learned to surf at the Mount as a 9-year-old and believes the reef will make it an even better spot. He still has a hair salon in Auckland but plans to open one at home at the Mount and work his clients around the waves.

"I'll probably be cutting hair at midnight," he laughed.

Mr Stassen's partner Diane Palmer fears she may not see much of him. "I'm going to be a surfer's widow," she joked.

Mt Maunganui Reef Trust, which is building the reef, said it was great to have part of the reef laid after so many years.

"It's amazing to get to this stage," said executive officer David Neilson.

Formed nine years ago, the trust has raised more than $1 million to build the reef. The trust has estimated the reef would return more than 30 times its cost through visitor spending.