On a unique date of the year that will never happen again, my mission was to cruise the coast of Taranaki and see what the surf was up to. 12 Surf Spots, 6 hours, from 0600-1200. Heading from the North to the South Coast.
Weather check, overcast, fining towards the afternoon, Wind NE. Checking the tide it would be high tide heading out. From the northern Fitzroy beach facing north west, to the Southern Opunake beach facing south west, you're guaranteed to find a ride all within a 60km radius. Giving allocated time also, I would calculate a mere half hour (not including travel time approx 10min each surf break) stint at each location.
A quick but exciting challenge!
1. Fitzroy
It was surprising to see people out surfing, walking, biking at 0600. Pure indication of the benefits of living near the coast for the Taranaki people. The waves were slow but once in while 2 or 3 good sets would break nicely. Worth the wait!
2. Back Beach
Another handful of dedicated early rising surfers. Waves more consistent and an average 4ft-5ft tubing waves. Awesome!
3. Oakura
Quiet, no surf-able waves, no one out just me, myself and my camera. Was nice to be alone on the beach looking at the tiny breaks hitting the shore with the Sugar Islands & Paritutu rock in the background. Good time to use a slower shutter.
4. AhuAhu Road
Small surf and quiet at this break, good for the only 2 learner surfers out there with 2 paddleboarders catching the breaks further out.
5. Kumara Patch
The only car at the entrance, a lone walk through the farm entrance to a deserted coastline, I witnessed the smallest but fiercest offshore waves hitting hard against the shore, like a wall of crashing concrete. The sound was so loud it sent shivers. This shot seems like I'm still a distance away but I was quite close, the rushing of the wave once it crashed had me running for higher ground. Thrilling experience.
6. Graveyards/ Puniho Road
It was a transition going from a deserted surf break to a surf break crowded with surfers at different points, cars filled with boards and hanging wetsuits and a number of camper vans filled with french surfers freedom camping on the stony shore.
7. Stent Road
A popular point on the coast. You're lead by a huge rock with Stent Road spray-painted on it due to the popular road sign being a favourite 'steal' for surfers. Again populated at 2 points. Cars take up the parking with surfers either coming out or going in.
8. Kina Road
As I head further south I noticed the waves were getting smaller. The best so far were at Back Beach. I pull into the entrance with 3 cars already packed up. Asking how the surf is.."Pretty mud at the moment"(not good). The last time I came to Kina Road was to hit the tide for Paua and Kina...Chur!
The surf was messy but the sun was coming through, there was warmth and a good time to dip the feet.
9. Arawhata Road
Time never went to plan as I was enjoying my time at each break. WIth only 3 breaks to go I got to Arawhata and, wanting to prepare to get a photo at exactly 12:12 on the 12th day of the 12th month of the 12th year! One car was present and in the car was my old neighbor I had grown up with, who I hadn't seen in a long time. A lone surfer he was out on his day off searching for good swell. It was a great time to share the 12:12 photograph!
10. Opunake
The beach where I spent most of my summer holidays! I have great memories and love getting there when I can. No swell today, but on a good day you can get up to 7ft swells. A clean camping ground with great facilities. An artificial reef supposedly built and completed, but with complications and lack of funds, it's now on hold with no certainty of completion.
11. Ohawe
My beach; closest to my heart and hometown. With a freshwater river mouth leading into the sea this is the most popular beach for the South Taranaki community. The water hole of the water mouth was great during the summer where there were cliff jumps and river tubing opportunities. Has it's good days of good surf. Popular for fishing.
12. Waihi
A 5km walk from Ohawe following high to low tide with access from Hawera, this also has good surf but can be notorious for rips.
