Ten fun gift ideas for Christmas

Suunto watch


The ultimate gadget for gear-heads, serious mountaineers, divers, bikers and trampers alike. Suunto make a range of watches that do everything from tell the time, temperature and altitude to how many ski runs you did today. From $549 at Pack'n'Pedal stores.

If you get this on Christmas Day, head straight for the 42nd Traverse track on Mt Ruapehu (also known as the Tongariro Forest Traverse). Apparently there's a net descent of some 570m over 45km, and a Suunto watch will let you see what elevation you're at and how that changes as you mountain bike or walk along.

Underwater scooter

Snorkellers and scuba divers can now make like James Bond and be pulled around the ocean floor by this mechanised See-doo. "You hold on to it and it pulls you along at two knots," explain the staff at Auckland's Dive Centre. "You can cover a lot more ground than if you're just swimming."

From $899, and it's also possible to hire these on an hourly basis at the Dive Centre (444 7698).

If you get one of these on Christmas Day, load it on to a boat and head out into the Hauraki Gulf. Some of the best local dive spots include around Little Barrier and the Hen and Chickens.

Victorinox Swiss Card Lite

It's the same size as a credit card, albeit slightly thicker, and contains a small knife, tweezers, scissors, screwdrivers, a pen, a light and even a magnifying glass.

It comes in a range of pretty colours. And who knows, if you are suddenly chosen to star in an episode of Survivor this small, practical gadget could become essential. From $44 at Pack'n'Pedal stores.

If you get this on Christmas Day, use the pen light to help you find your seat in the movies and the scissors to open your bag of chips.

Solid surfboard

Okay, it's a bit large for anyone's stocking, but just on the market is the Solid board. Made of plastic and specially shaped, it's ideal for learners.

Its advantage, according to the makers, is that the average surfboard is made of foam and resin and beginners can easily damage them - not so with the solidboard. At around $300, it's also less expensive than your average surfboard. Contact 479 8529 for stockists.

If you get this on Christmas Day, take a surfin' safari to the East Coast because this is generally where the best surf for learning is found.

For those who are not quite ready to invest in the actual board, you could just try a surf lesson at Primal Surf (488 0165) on the North Shore. For $100 you get all the gear, a day's worth of instruction and transport to the most suitable surf spots.

It's also worth checking out surf.co.nz for the latest in surf reports.

Tikka or Zipka Plus by Petzel

Headlamp devotees are loving this new release. It uses a LED lightbulb which lasts longer than your standard bulb. It also has a variety of useful settings, from dimmer (for reading in the tent) to brighter (for going to the camp ground toilet at midnight) to flashing (for mountain biking). From $119 at Pack'n'Pedal stores.

If you get this on Christmas Day, go and do an overnight walk like the Pinnacles trek, up the Kauaeranga Valley near Thames. As a bonus there's a large and well appointed DoC hut to stay in when you get to the top. Otherwise cruise on down to the Waitomo Caves and go for a walk in the dark with your new toy.

Flasher rigs

No, it's not some sort of weird perversion. To the uninitiated, dedicated fishermen swear by these particular lures. With a shiny end and a fluorescent bead, these rigs can be used to catch a variety of fish species including snapper, kahawai and terakihi. They can also be used with or without bait and from a boat or off the wharf or rocks. From $14 at Tisdalls

If you get this on Christmas Day, throw your line off the nearest wharves. Or perhaps try surfcasting off the West Coast beaches. The Coromandel Peninsula is also good because there's plenty of rocks to cast a line from and the waters are generally deeper.

Solo lighter

Not being able to get the fancy fuel stove going when you want a cup of tea can be the bane of camp existence. No longer a problem with these wind- and rain- resistant lighters. From $39.95 at Tisdalls.

If you get this on Christmas Day, tie it to a big piece of wood or to the stove leg so that local cigarette smokers can't make off with it.

Inflatable dive-yak

For anyone who can't afford a larger boat or doesn't want to put roof-racks on their car, they can now simply pack an inflatable kayak such as this one.

Inflated, this craft is 3m long, has room for two sets of dive gear and, no, it won't burst like a bubble on the nearest reef. Deflated, it packs into the boot of your car.

For the enthusiastic underwater sportsperson, it's perfect for getting to places where they would normally need a boat. From $1900. Also possible to hire these from the Dive Centre on an hourly basis.

If you get this on Christmas Day, paddle your kayak around to the back of the Goat Island for a whole new perspective on this marine reserve. Or launch at Army Bay to paddle down to the end of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.

Tasco binoculars

Binoculars used to come in huge, heavy leather cases and were generally unwieldy. Today those spotting fish, birds or simply the next hole on the golf course can tout a pair of compact or waterproof binoculars. To pack, simply fold away in a small plastic container. From around $100 at Tisdalls.

If you get a pair on Christmas Day, drive out to Muriwai Beach where you will be able to watch an Australasian gannet pack in action.

The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society highly recommend this birdwatching area, as the gannets breed here, on rocks just off the coast, every summer and there are viewing platforms and information panels along the coastline.

Sealine dry bag

If you're holidaying by the seaside, on a boat or really being exposed to the elements, it might be worth investing in one of these.

They're the sort of watertight bags that kayakers use to keep their gear dry while afloat. It's well worth stashing things such as cameras and mobile phones in here and knowing there's no way they'll ever get wet. From $32.95 at Tisdalls.

If you get this on Christmas Day, practice closing it up so it's airtight, then chuck it in the bath to admire it's watertightness.