Around The World In 80 Waves

I arrive at Opunake on the Surf Highway a short time before the sun goes down and decide I have had enough of driving for the day. I fill up with fuel so that I am ready for a clean getaway in the morning and then head for the surf shop in town.

I have a great chat with the guys at Dreamtime Surf Shop who sort me out with a great deal for hiring this lovely 8’6″ so that I can get a surf in first thing in the morning.

They also give me directions to the campervan park situated next to one of the many breaks that are situated in the area, which is easy to find.

I could possibly have gone for a cheeky session before it got dark but I chose to enjoy the sun setting over the headland with a beer instead.

I am saving my energy for the incoming tide in the morning and spend the night reading my guide book as well as emptying my fridge of beer.

I can hear the ocean all night and leave the relative warmth of my van a couple of times in the night to see what the waves are looking like, hoping they will be similar at the same stage of the tide in the morning.

There is an electrical outlet to supply my vehicle and I make several failed attempts at tuning in the TV in my van, as well as charging up all my devices and cameras.

I top up the fresh water in my tanks and am even more delighted by the spot I chose when I wake up to it in the morning. One boiled kettle later I am heading over to the sand to check out the waves with a hot cup of coffee.

There are two ladies out, getting a surf before going to work and I see them catch some fun rides so it isn’t long before I have my own wetsuit on. The girls don’t stick around long and for a short while I have the break to myself before being joined in the water by a stand up paddle boarder and a bloke in a kayak.

Neither are either normally a welcome sight when you are surfing because of how many waves they steal from everybody else, but the two guys are pretty cool and there are more than enough waves to go around so we have a laugh in the morning sun. I catch four or five rides right across the bay and am having loads of fun, whooping and hollering along each one. The perfect start to any day.