Somewhere...

 

Well that last blog certainly sparked a healthy debate which did get me thinking about what area is the real NZ surf Mecca. Now of course my first cheeky statement would be ‘the little bit between Reinga and Port Pegasus’ but that is a PC cop out- what region really is NZ’s surf Mecca; what region really can claim the bragging rights?

 

Personally, what I reckon- is that you could spend the four seasons on the road working your way around the different regions. Because the beauty of our many coasts is that each has a different high season, ie; Gizzy for winter [except summer north swells.] and most of the west coast for summers [when we get off shores consistently] Rag’s for autumn, Duno’s for spring. Shippies is mostly winter and so on, which would be fine if we all didn’t have to work to live. So really the question is if you had to work/study, hence be based in one region and you’re surf mad, where would you be best off? Then my answer is Duno’s…but I’m not moving there, it’s too cold and no matter what; the draw of friends and whanau are where home is.

 

I’m back home at Piha now, sifting through a few thousand images that are the start of my next beach book. Apart from doing the surf trip I also wanted to visit and shoot the beaches my late Aunt Audrey had taken photos of 75 years ago, this is the central theme of the project [then and now] and it’s quite a trip to be standing, composing a shot in the exact place Auntie had in the 1940’s, it’s also happily taking me to places I would never have bothered to with my surf blinkers on.

 

The surf is pumping and it was very good at Piha for most of the fortnight I’ve been on the road. I haven’t missed out, I have surfed less by being on the road, but I have got to see, shoot and surf some new waves. I’ve crossed off a few To Dos, added a few more while definitely adding a few Have To Get Back There ASAP’s. I wasn’t out of love with NZ, but now I’m even more enamoured by our country’s ridiculous amount of world class set ups and beautiful beaches.

 

So, what were my top 5 lessons learnt from the road?

 

Drinking lots of water is a two edged sword, it keeps you alert and it’s way better than sugary energy drink spiking, but there’s a woeful lack of public toilets on State Highway 1.

 

I bought lots of fruit; it is cheaper and healthier than pies and shit from the gassy. Central Otago nectarines are off the chain, Waikato watermelons are wicked and cheap as.

 

I was surprised how well signposted NZ is… this probably balances out the aforementioned lack of loos. That said anyone want to shout me a Navman?

 

You’ll always find the slow-coach at the end of the passing lanes, never the start.

 

4,500 songs on the iPod are not enough for a 2 week roady.

 

Blog out CPL.

02:04 pm

PKs pumpin aye boye!

- Posted by rocknrollmf

03:02 pm

great stuff blogout cpl. was magoo there?

- Posted by johnno

03:51 pm

Thats not Pk ya sausage

- Posted by shane

04:03 pm

Good stuff CeePe-el

- Posted by Rico

11:57 am

That's smails bro

- Posted by Natto

02:49 pm

That's Hickory Bay south of Christchurch works on a northeasterly and its a mission to get to, but basically you go Past Magnet Bay and its at the end of the road

- Posted by Trevor

05:09 pm

Response to Jonno, hey mate which mag. are you in showing you riding "Scar Reef" and getting a (Tiger Claw) for your efforts.That place scares the shit out of anyone at 5-6ft Magoo was out there with the big names in the world riding it at 10-15ft its life or death mate, now tell me which mag are you in?

- Posted by bigwaveman

08:24 am

In response to bigwaveman, that doesn't change the fact Magoo is an idiot. Spitting in the face of a local who has been surfing the Island since before he was born. Who the hell does he think he is. He deserves to go down.

- Posted by jd

03:32 pm

thanks littlewaveboy, magoo a local at scar reef too huh? a tiger claw? ooooo scary life and death? oooo scary

- Posted by johnno

01:35 pm

isn't getting a tiger claw a prison showers manoevre

- Posted by jeff

01:35 pm

isn't getting a tiger claw a prison showers manoevre

- Posted by jeff

09:07 am

Tiny Hickory Bay..can sure tear ya boardies off when its pumpin tho.

- Posted by LateDrop

11:47 am

blo the hole

- Posted by muz

08:59 am

I perfected the tiger claw style while serving in Nam -if that Magoo comes anywhere near my reef I will have to pull the claw from my left front pocket and teach him some serious manners - he will feeling shock and ore after a few of my lightning moves -thats if Mr Magoo can even see them

- Posted by goober

06:47 pm

Welcome home you finely tuned, long black drinking, white athlete....its all good... pie sales need your help.. :)

- Posted by bonza