Setting out on Ohope's waves

Surf instructors Bevan Porter and Lucy Potter. Photo / Sarah Ivey.

On the soft white sand of Ohope Beach's west end, you will find an ambassador for surf culture, Bevan "Beaver" Porter.

His Salt Spray Surf School is in its seventh summer of helping surf tyros young and old get the knack of standing on a board.

The spot is ideal because it's sheltered by rock cliffs and is on a flat beach where the Pacific Ocean's waves rise up slowly and gently crumble into white salty froth.

"We pride ourselves on getting everybody standing first lesson," says Mr Porter, who has added longboards of 12ft (3.6m) to his tool kit - to carry heavyweight customers.

"Sometimes, people are surprised when they get it.

"It's not about physical strength. It's a strong mind, because you are going out in an environment that's going to tell you who is boss."