09 Magazine

The get your summa tan-on issue WORD FROM Thomas Kibblewhite Doug Young The Pipers Andrew Mann Unc Hinge plus a heap heap more...

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Intro

Whoa is it really summa again, is it really time to rack up the credit card debt on crappy hankies, assorted biscuit boxes and sox for the outlaws-damn it is. That summa part is all good, but that 2nd part…hmmm dunno- wouldn’t be cool if all your rellys rallied together and just put all the money that they were gonna waste on dumb gifts that you will neva eva use [except maybe for re-gifting] and got you a voucher from the local shaper or even from the travel agent for next winter’s escape… that would be sick huh! And why are credit cards called credit cards- shouldn’t they be called debt cards???

Ahhh who cares, there’s good waves just around the corner, no doubt some crazy Chrissy and Nu Yeahs parties to get maggot at, and better still time off work and studies to do some serious serial road-tripping.

Once again the mighty 09 area code will be hosting the Nationals at Piha this January, works out we get it every 4 years.

Art & design: Luke Darby luke@zepher.co.nz Stalin Styled Director: Craig Levers photocpl@xtra.co.nz 09 Magazine Proudly Printed in the 09 by Icon Print.

But in the meantime, we’re stoked you’ve picked up our lil’ 09 rag to read, don’t take it too seriously, just like surfing- it is s’posed to be fun.

Merry Xmas and a bender of a New Years - the staff 09 Magazine.

On the Cover; Former 09 ad seller ‘The Birch’ getting his summa tan on. On this page; Mr Toilet Head taking a well deserved power nap after the 09 staff do.

09 Magazine is published by: PhotoCplMedia www.photocpl.co.nz photocpl@xtra.co.nz.

CMB 33, Piha, Waitakere 0646 Copyright PhotoCplMedia All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording and otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher. Neither facts, views and opinions expressed in advertising or text are necessarily agreed to by the editor or publisher of 09 and while all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure accuracy, no responsibility will be taken by the editor or publisher of 09 magazine for inaccurate information. Thanks - love you long time?

amazonsurf.co.nz

Doug is no stranger to 09 power. Pix CPL

Dougie, big move from your native New Brighton to the sunny shores of Omaha- were the quakes a factor in the decision to move to the 09?

Yeah, the 1st quake in September was gnarly, we had just got back from Bali the night of that 1st shaky rumble and it shook us up pretty bad, we still managed to run the Surf School and it was actually the biggest year we have ever had with schools being our main focus. Christchurch Boys High booked every year 12 student in as a part of their NCEA assessment, and all our other schools booked in the biggest numbers to date for their summer sports, activity days and assessments. We were buzzing!!!!! The Chrissy party went OFF!!!!! We were pretty slow with backpackers etc but the schools more than made up for it.

All our schools had just started when the big shake hit in Feb, we had over 500 kids booked in that week alone!!!! We were ready to nail it with over 10 staff and a heap of new equipment.

We were on the beach in Sumner with 20 at risk youth when the cliffs came down all around us, and subsequently the business!

They have only just stopped pumping raw sewage into the rivers and onto the beach and no one really knows when things will be clean and clear to run such a big operation with kids on the town beaches.

The 09 area was the logical answer for such a big operation and Omaha was the closest East Coast break to Auckland that not only got NE swell but also East swell thru the Colville Strait increasing the chances of getting waves on such a flat prone coast.

So you’ve set up the surf school right by the surf club at Omaha?

Got a mean little shop right next to the Kick Back Cafe and the Surf Club and it’s looking like we are going to have a massive summer, if the last month is anything to go by. We are also selling a whole range of sick boards etc from the shop as well

so if ya looking for a good deal on a sick stick from real surfers, come pay us a visit.

What services are your offering?

A full range of Surf lessons from the complete learner to the more advanced, full hire of boards and wetties for as long as you can surf- “You can’t put a time limit on a surf!” Range of new learner boards, softboards, right thru to high performance short boards and mals, we even have a bunch of Starboard stand ups for hire and sale. All the usuals like wax, sunblock, mags etc. We also have these sick Gift Packs on sale, great idea for a Chrissy or B-day prezzy, you can get those online at www.pacificsurfari.co.nz , better than a pair of undies or socks! We also do local surf reports, audio reports and have put a camera up looking out over Little Barrier.

Check it out on the Auckland East Surf Report on Surf.co.nz How much does a lesson cost? $80 for a 2hr adults lesson, $30 for a 2hr lesson for a kid 13 and

Doug Young’s 09 in 09

under, $120 for a 2hr 1 on 1 lesson, and only $15 per kid per 2hr lesson with school groups. We pride ourselves on giving each learner everything they need in just one lesson to then go out a safely enjoy the sport of surfing.

What’s the best surf you’ve had around Omaha?

Took the Ski out on a massive North swell and found some juice around Goat Island- can’t wait for the next big one!

I remember a few years back Allan Byrne claimed you could be NZ’s most internationally famous surfer- at that stage you were jetsetting pretty hard chasing monsters- are big waves still a priority?

Hell yeah bro!!! It’s what I live for, it’s the one thing that makes me feel more alive than living itself! If that makes any sense?

Would you ditch everything for a Teahupo swell?

Yip, as long as everything is in place, you need to have the

right equipment sorted otherwise you will be a flounder in the channel!

What’s the plan for the next 5 years?

Stay true to the wish I made when I seen 3 shooting stars back when I was 18 at Pines, Wainui, “To have as much fun as I can and be happy till the day I die!” I have made the same wish on every candle I have blown out and shooting star I have seen since.

Do you get still get stoked off a learner’s first stand up ride?

Next to actually surfing myself, teaching the sport I love is the next best thing!!!! To share so much joy with so many people is an awesome buzz! The Karma credits just keep clocking up!

Chur!

NZ surf ad[d] tours

Silas wets his pants with excitement at the thought of spending quality time with Spoons

Nick Towner aka Spoons is no newbie to the NZ surf industry, the 09 West Coast resident sold centimetres at Kiwi Surf Mag while he was completing his Uni studies in Ecco Tourism... study which not so incidentally allowed Nick to travel through the Pacific and Indo doing case studies on surf tourism and its impact. All degreed up now, Nick has launched his own venture into the surf adventure market with his own company ....wait for it... New Zealand Surfing Adventures ...whoa....clever name huh... But, you know, it is exactly what it is- so why not right!

How come you decided to do this bro?

I’m currently wrapping up my Phd, which investigates the sustainable development of surf tourism in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia and I needed a new focus in life so put my energy into setting up a new business venture. I guess NZ Surfing Adventures is really combining my passion for surf adventure here in NZ and my education background in surf tourism.

It’s been an exciting few months setting it all up huh?

Yeah it’s been real busy over the last 4 months been finding out a lot about myself and starting a new business, there is heaps more involved than just buying a truck and cruising around the country scoring waves. There’s just so much to it, all kinds of licenses, insurances and registrations that I had no idea about before I started NZ Surfing Adventures but after a couple sick adventures and stoking out clients it’s all worth Your website looks pretty darn sick mate, how’s the traffic to it and are you getting heaps of random enquiries?

My buddy Trent Hogan in Piha has helped me a lot with the site as I had no idea about that sort of thing and got some photos off CPL and Silas Hansen which make it look a lot smarter than if had budget images. I also got the NZ Surfing Adventures logo done up professionally which helped to create a nice branding of the company. Traffic has been increasing all the time now that the word is slowly starting to spread, however for a tourism business I’m not overly concerned about the total number of hits it’s more to do with where the traffic is coming from. I have had heaps of enquiries from all over the world especially Europeans and will have pumped out a dozen trips

by Christmas.

Who are the adventures targeted at?

Originally I was looking at targeting higher income overseas tourists from Australia, Europe, Japan and America but more recently I have learnt that there is actually a large domestic market waiting to be tapped. For example I recently took two young guys from Auckland city to the East Cape and they were totally blown away by the scenery, culture and isolation and they also both stood up on surfboards for the first time.

How does the standard trip work?

All NZ Surfing Adventures are different and 100% customised to clients needs and wants and at the end of the day governed by the swell. The main difference about what I’m doing is pushing the whole adventure side of things. Anyone take a tour down to Raglan and surf Manu Bay for five days but what I am offering is something totally different I always try to give my customers in new exciting experiences.

Far 09 gives up the goods for schoolies pix and words Teebs

Sean Kettle _ Taranaki @ Pines Amongst all the chaos surrounding the Rugby World Cup the 09 hosted the 2011 Scholastic Surfing Nationals. Nearly 100 groms from as far south as CHCH converged on Ahipara in the Far North for a week of pumping waves and good times. After the formalities of the powhiri at Te Rarawa Marae, Ahipara, the 10 teams scattered to surf in preparation for a week of absolute contrasts.

The first 3 days of the event were run at The Bluff located at the northern end of Ninety Mile Beach. It’s not often you get treated to mellow waves at the isolated and often spooky spot,

but that was what Huey delivered up. Across the 8 divisions the depth of talent shone through and surfers made the most of what the Tasman Sea was dishing up. On day 3 The Bluff had a change in personality. High tide was super fun with bombs rolling through in the 3-4ft range but as with most exposed West Coast beachies, as the tide started to drain out it started to turn ugly with 6ft sets pounding through. Unfortunately this coincided with the running of the Girls Division and many spent the entirety of their heats caught inside. The highlight of the day was when Adam Grimson scored a near perfect 19 out

of 20 in his Under 16’s heat by stroking into two consecutive left hand barrels.

Day 4 saw the event shift to Rarawa Beach on the east coast.

With a late offshore change overnight and a good swell on the cards, coming over the dunes to be treated by the sight of pumping 2-3ft pits all along the beach- it’s fair to say everyone was frothing. The beauty of the Far North east coast is understated with perfect crystal clear water and white sand, and as Northland Team Mascot Joe Moretti put it, there were some “silly barrels” going down.

After 4 days of pretty much near perfect waves, contest organisers could sense that everyone was itching to surf the points of Ahipara and that was where the final stanza of the event was played out. Fun 2-4ft waves on offer at Pines provided the platform for some super-hot finals surfing.

Champs were crowned; teams held their medals high with pride and everyone left with a warm glow that only the waves and sunshine of the Far North could offer. Chur to the 09.

2011 Team Results: 1st Gisborne, 2nd Canterbury, 3rd Bay of Plenty, 4th Taranaki, 5th Northland, 6th Auckland, 7th Waikato, 8th Coromandel, 9th Wellington, 10th Hawkes Bay.

Dune Kennings full flight @ Rarawa

Rarawa

Adam Grimson @ Pines

SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TO

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54c Barrys Point rd, Takapuna ph. 488-7523 www.primalsurf.co.nz

www.pihastore.co.nz 8128 844

www.lionrocksurfshop.com 8128 433

NOW OFFER Surf L ING check essons out websi our te

Shotbo'

Ohhh we know where these ‘lil gems all are. They arrived on the 09 doorstep, wrapped in a blanket in a wicker basket with a note saying for a good home. And here is indeed that good home for these and any great pix of surfboard related imagery- you got pix that deserve a better life? Send them to us at photocpl@xtra.co.nz; we won’t make you rich...actually probably not even famous- but you will feel better for doing the right thing for the homeless.

Smashed Pipi Send ur pipi’s to photocpl@xtra.co.nz

PIHA SURF stock a wide range of new and 2nd hand surfboards. Or order a Custom shape from esteemed shaper Mike Jolly. Check out the cool as Piha Surf T’s, and other funky nic-nacs from the upstairs-craft shop .We offer a professional ding repair service at Piha Beach, West Auckland (incl. quality repairs on all epoxy boards.) and accommodation.

www.pihasurf.co.nz

122 Seaview Rd, Piha Beach | (09) 812 8723 | E: pihasurf@xtra.co.nz

Connel, aka Daniel Lever, shovelling buckets and frothing in the 09 www.photocpl.co.nz

Peter on his deck over-looking Pha 1998. Pic CPL

The Legend Leaves Us Peter Byers died of a heart attack at his Piha home, aged 71 this October. Peter was inducted into the New Zealand Surfing Hall of Fame for being NZ’s first shaper.

The story should be well known to you, when American surfers Bing Copeland and Rick Stoner arrived in Piha looking for waves with their modern Malibu boards in 1957 they were welcomed into the beachside community by Peter and his fellow surf club cohorts. By ’61 Peter had created a thriving surfboard business making, renting and selling his boards. He actually supplied blanks for all the newly started up surfboard companies nationally as well as exporting to Oz. In 1975 Peter hung up his planer- well to be more precise- simply filed it away in his tomato glass houses alongside with his blank blower.

As a member of Piha Surf Lifesaving Club Peter saved hundreds of lives, as NZ’s very first surfing entrepreneur he stoked out and tuned in the very first generation of New Zealand surfers. Arohanui to his wife Margaret, his surfing sons, Maurice, Andy, Stu and Warren, their partners and Peter’s grandchildren.

Immersion New photographic exhibition

by Rowan Klevstul.

What better way to kick off the summer in an artsy groove than stopping by the Depot Artspace gallery in Devo and checking out the latest installment of Rowan Klevstul’s Wet Colour series. Those of you who caught last summer’s exhibit of wall to wall waves will know what lies in waiting; strong colourful ocean imagery to excite the eye and soothe the soul, captured from around the secret nooks of our very own 09 coastline. Immersion features new works from the past 12 months, with a twist that’ll keep both surfers and beachcombers intrigued. Opening December 3 at 3pm, until 21 December. 28 Clarence St. Devonport. www.depotartspace.co.nz www.facebook.com/wetcolour

Denise gives it a Nud A 1-2ft ruffled day at deserted Omaha South hardly seems life changing. But that was the way it happened when my husband Nudge first took me out for a surf.

Of course, we weren’t married then and the Westie was still trying to impress this girl from the North Shore; even buying me a brand new wetsuit.

Fortunately for him I have always loved the water – catching the bug at 10 when my father first pushed me into whitewater on a boggie-board during a rare 1 metre summer swell at Cooper’s Beach. Unfortunately for him, my skills had not much improved since then!

It wasn’t too bad if Nudge took the time to wade out and push me into waves. But as soon as I had to start paddling on my own it was a nightmare of arms flailing, water splashing and the board going nowhere.

Nudge kept yelling impossible tasks: “Lie on the board straight”, “paddle harder”, “stand up – NOW”. What the fuck was he thinking? He could yell as loud as he wanted but it didn’t change the fact that I am a female and females just don’t have any upper-body strength without a lot of blood, sweat and tears. As I got better the commands changed: “Stop paddling away from the big waves”, “the only reason you got hit on the head is poor technique”…

Nudge probably likes to think he taught me well and it’s true, given the talent I had to start with. After… well,

I’d rather not say just how many years I’ve been surfing for ‘cos it just makes me sound old… but after some time I got my confidence up and decided to enter a few contests. Like Nudge, my specialty is longboarding and I have done the fancy-pantsy Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour twice, finishing sixth both times.

I like to think that I’ve taught Nudge, as well. All that time of staring at my arse as I fall off my board has helped trained his eye. His judgemental comments have finally been put to good use as a Surfing NZ judge.

I also like to brag that Nudge had to fix so many of my dings that he decided to make a business out of it, but really that’s not true. He has been hanging around in surfboard factories when he was still young, skinny and innocent – well before he met me. His cut his teeth with Gisborne’s Ray and Tommy Dalton of Lost fame (the boards that is, not the stupid TV programme) and spent a fair amount of time with Morris in Auckland.

Ding repairs while we lived at Te Arai and a stint with Roger Hall’s Surfline put him in good stead when the building industry that he had dedicated his working life to for 20-odd years finally spat him out and made him redundant. Nudge’s Surfboard Repairs is really just in its infancy – all wobbly and unbalanced as it tries to stand up in the whitewater. But who knows what other surfing monster Nudge will unleash…

CAMS: Muriwai, Maori Bay North Piha, South Piha Mangawhai Heads, Raglan Whangamata, Hot Water, Mt Maunganui and more.

Check out SURF2SURF.com for the lastest reports and long range surf forecasts.

dge

The Pipers living the dream

Andy doing a mann turn. Pic CPL

Re-Intro Andy Mann Our more savvy readers may know that you used to compete in National comps and had a fair few appearances in the surf mags back in the 90’s- I remember an O’neill advert of you charging massive Halewia, how’d that pic come about?

Haleiwa - It’s all a bit surreal looking back on it now, I guess I was living a surfer’s dream. After spending five years on and off traveling and searching for the World’s best waves. Rocking up at Hawaii for my 4th winter in a row, a couple of preordered new Bushman Boards, accommodation sorted at Sunset. The only real decisions were what board should I ride or what’s for lunch.

That photo represents a magic moment in time and a head full of memories of epic Hawaii sessions. That day was super perfect and the kind of surf you live for, until I got totally mowed down by some monster set, snapped leg rope- the whole nine yards. My flatmate got the photo. Stoked.

So now you’re the kitchen guy huhgonna deck out the 09 lab with a new bench for this pic?

I’m half Scottish so I’m sure we can work out a deal bro. I have been managing Moda Kitchens manufacturing factory for the last three years. At the final stages of owning the manufacturing franchise for the North Island, which is all good.

Moda Kitchens has three showrooms in Auckland, one Hamilton and a new one

in Wellington. So if you are after an affordable designer Kitchen check out www. moda.co.nz.

For me it is all about time management and putting myself into a position so you have financial freedom and creating free time for loved ones, family and passions.

Short term limited surfing. Hopefully, long-term back on the global search.

The kids are growing up fast too huh- are they surfing yet?

My three sons, Jacob 12, Jayden 11 and Cassidy 9; what a real joy they are to have in my life, I love them heaps. At one stage the three boys were under five and all in

nappies, so it hasn’t been all roses. It’s still early days with their surfing, I think they have all got great potential. Jacob is starting to venture out the back and the other two are not far behind. I think surfing and the whole beach scene has been a great way to connect as they grow up. They are definitely keeping me young at heart or giving me a heart attack depending on the day.

Just a special thanks for their support goes to Steph for being so lovely.

Friends and Family, Jason at O’neill and Glen at Primal for making that new awesome 6 “0. Cheers.

Dear Uncy Hingey I know you are away in Europe for the global summit on the prevention of cruelty to the Amish (your PA told me) but I have a very confusing problem that really can’t wait.

I really really am hoping that you can find the time to answer my question and alleviate me from this mental conundrum that has been torturing me.

You see, like yourself, I am a surfer. I love it and there’s nothing better than getting up early and going down to the beach and watching all those hot surfers putting on their tight rubber suits. The more flexible and stretchier wetsuits become, the harder and harder it is to conceal my boner that I seem to get every time I’m in the car park and me and the boys are joking around and getting changed. I think it makes most guys uncomfortable being squashed in the back of a car on long road trips, all sweaty and sticking together, but to me, its like taking part in a roman steam bath orgy. Well not quite, but you’re getting the picture, right? What should I do? Do I keep suppressing these feelings, or do I risk alienation from my peers by coming out and telling them Id rather go straight doggy than go pig-dogging? Do I wait for a barbecue and let them know that I want to be the steak in their sandwich and there’s a different kind of sausage I’d rather be eating? Please help me Uncy Hinge, you’re the only person I can turn to...

Dear Undercover Sausage Lover You have truly an interesting concern, a problem which is something I have dealt with in my clinic at a greater frequency in recent times. You will be very surprised at the quantity of men living a parallel existence and using ways to conceal their secret lives including fake weddings and children to mask their sordid mirror gazing sausage loving existence. Through my evaluation of these scout leaders I feel your issue is definitely related to your location within this world, this place NZ we call home and the quality of the stock list.

Whilst in Europe it turns out I have been working on a secret project for the NZ government to help with tourism and general international traveler satisfaction. The government in conjunction with New Zealand’s next top model management has funded my work in a long standing theory that during 3 month shipping journeys’ to NZ in the early 18th century, there

banana massage??? was prolific DNA mutations through prolonged contact with rodents on the ships. These rodents were discovered to be heavily intoxicated after huge binge sessions on special 70% alc navy rum imported by the anabolic Icelandic seal clubbers. For some reason or another, a mutated steroid type gene was transmitted through flea bites to most of the female travelers. An interesting background fact is that the research started with the analyses of Helen Clark’s family tree and was picked up from there by the National Government 3 years ago.

After carrying out extensive research on the French beaches, Spanish bars and in the vast Dutch red-light areas I have concluded that the mutations are in fact true. I have lovingly examined 78 ladies from 15 European countries within 2 weeks and have not found the gene present in even one of the research examples. The great news for you is the government will have access to my research this week and legislation with be pushed forward ASAP and the issue will be a major emphasis in their late run election trail.

The master plan is to introduce in three stages up to 50,000 beautiful ladies with an impressive expectation of 17% GDP increase over 20 years. The selection process of the ladies will be rigorous and cover all corners of the globe, a position that John Key has personally put himself forward for after a discussion over a cup of tea recently. From there they will take submissions from 2000 NZ men who will be paid $150,000 a year. These young men will live on a surf rich private Tahitian mating farm and be in charge of producing the future of New Zealand’s population.

So there you have it undercover Sausage Lover, you and thousands of other New Zealand men will no longer be forced to reach around and bat for the other team much longer.

Arohanui Te Kauhoe Wano burnt me a beauty last spring, the rights were fast and demanded a clear line, TK faded me hard- his blinkers were on. I was horrified as I pulled out to avoid rails clashing and watch TK throw up multiple rooster tails as he worked his way to Lion Rock- ‘Ware did you just see what your dad did???’

“OMG CP yeah” “Farrr out grom, you better tune the old boy aye- that was fuuuucked” serious face on, trying not to smile.

TK joins the pack- ‘Farrrk TK how’s the sizzling on that one, some mates aye…” TK flashes his usual infectious smile “ Oh brother, I thought you were waay too deep” and cracks up- Hell you can’t be mad at TK with a call like that. We all crack up and for the next 12 months this is our running joke, the boys tease their Dad- ‘Dad I can’t believe you burnt CP like that!”

And like many surfers who shared waves with TK Wano through out his all too short life, the memory will be that endearing smile and spray coming off his outside rail as you’re faded.

I apologise if this passage of words reads somewhat self indulgent- it’s not my intent- my experiences and times with TK are not unique, his

This is the paddle out for Te Kauhoe.

Photo Steve King

way of engaging and being interested in your own ‘lil world was magnetising- you wanted to be around him- he exuded mana. I remember just 3 years ago, we’re all chilling in the South Piha carpark and TK randomly complimented me a job well done- it was so unexpected but it was also a compliment based on an educated observation of what I’d been doing. At a time when I was treading new and unfamiliar grounds - this was a huge morale boost- especially from TK; who’d done the miles and knew the media game.

On a balmy November Tuesday over 500 people gathered at South Piha to celebrate TK’s all too short life, we shared stories, kai and aroha. 84 of us paddled out on to the Bar, we formed a circle, paid homage to a life lived large. Multiple party waves were shared- TK would of loved that. The boys carried through until 6am at the surfie. The last surf I had with Te Kauhoe, he gave me a wave up at Caves Carpark, ‘you go bro’ it was a good one too. The way I see it TK it’s your turn to drop in on me- I thought our game had quite a few more bouts to go.- CPL

bethells beach te henga waitakere

Located just to the west of Auckland, Te Henga – which refers to its sand dunes being shaped like over-turned waka (canoes) – was an important settlement of the Te Kawerau a Maki people. Europeans arrived there in the 19th century and began a series of major changes to the character and shape of Te Henga. The most significant was the clearing of land for timber and farming that began in 1854 and continued until the 1920s. A dam on the Waitakere River was completed in 1910, radically altering the level of the riverbed and reducing the flow of water to the sea (local surfers often speculate how good the surf could have been with the Waitakere river in full flow, thus creating much-needed sand banks). Original settler John Bethell sold the land that is now known as Te Henga Park to the Waitakere County Council and the beach and park area have been popular with Auckland residents ever since. Te Henga has also featured as a favourite location of TV shows like Zena and Hercules.

n12 n12

Get yours now for Christmas

www.photocpl.co.nz

Bethells Surf Lifesaving tower standing sentry over the beach.

The tower has become an iconic landmark of the west coast.

n13 n13

NZ surf ad[d] tours

Silas wets his pants with excitement at the thought of spending quality time with Spoons

Nick Towner aka Spoons is no newbie to the NZ surf industry, the 09 West Coast resident sold centimetres at Kiwi Surf Mag while he was completing his Uni studies in Ecco Tourism... study which not so incidentally allowed Nick to travel through the Pacific and Indo doing case studies on surf tourism and its impact. All degreed up now, Nick has launched his own venture into the surf adventure market with his own company ....wait for it... New Zealand Surfing Adventures ...whoa....clever name huh... But, you know, it is exactly what it is- so why not right!

How come you decided to do this bro?

I’m currently wrapping up my Phd, which investigates the sustainable development of surf tourism in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia and I needed a new focus in life so put my energy into setting up a new business venture. I guess NZ Surfing Adventures is really combining my passion for surf adventure here in NZ and my education background in surf tourism.

It’s been an exciting few months setting it all up huh?

Yeah it’s been real busy over the last 4 months been finding out a lot about myself and starting a new business, there is heaps more involved than just buying a truck and cruising around the country scoring waves. There’s just so much to it, all kinds of licenses, insurances and registrations that I had no idea about before I started NZ Surfing Adventures but after a couple sick adventures and stoking out clients it’s all worth Your website looks pretty darn sick mate, how’s the traffic to it and are you getting heaps of random enquiries?

My buddy Trent Hogan in Piha has helped me a lot with the site as I had no idea about that sort of thing and got some photos off CPL and Silas Hansen which make it look a lot smarter than if had budget images. I also got the NZ Surfing Adventures logo done up professionally which helped to create a nice branding of the company. Traffic has been increasing all the time now that the word is slowly starting to spread, however for a tourism business I’m not overly concerned about the total number of hits it’s more to do with where the traffic is coming from. I have had heaps of enquiries from all over the world especially Europeans and will have pumped out a dozen trips

by Christmas.

Who are the adventures targeted at?

Originally I was looking at targeting higher income overseas tourists from Australia, Europe, Japan and America but more recently I have learnt that there is actually a large domestic market waiting to be tapped. For example I recently took two young guys from Auckland city to the East Cape and they were totally blown away by the scenery, culture and isolation and they also both stood up on surfboards for the first time.

How does the standard trip work?

All NZ Surfing Adventures are different and 100% customised to clients needs and wants and at the end of the day governed by the swell. The main difference about what I’m doing is pushing the whole adventure side of things. Anyone take a tour down to Raglan and surf Manu Bay for five days but what I am offering is something totally different I always try to give my customers in new exciting experiences.

The Ding King Double Dips

TK nose how to do it hahaha pix CPL

Thomas Kibblewhite surprised a few people by taking out both the Open and Longboard title of the AK Champs this spring- no surprise to those that have seen the Red Beach surfer come up through the ranks as a top 09 junior and even as winner of the Sandy Bay Polar Bear last winter. The AK Champs were run at Piha in fairly fun 2-3 ft runners. Tom’s name now sits aside a prestigious bunch of fellows on the AK Champs trophy- pretty cool for a surfer that spends his working week covered in surfboard dust fixing our fuckups.

09 mag sees you as an all-rounder, or even just that surfing is surfing and you are a surfer. You were a shit hot junior on a shortboard, and you still ride shortboards all the time, but you’re known as a Wrongboarder...how do you see yourself?

I like to ride any type of wave riding equipment as long as it’s not a SUP I hate those things they should stick to the lakes. A surfer should be able to ride anything and have fun on the waves will doing so. That’s what I like about surfing ride the write board to suit the conditions and make sure you are having fun.

So you’re the National Longboard Chump, the 09 Open and Wrongboard Chump…where to from here?

Summer! Can’t wait, I’ll try to defend my national wrongboard title maybe have a crack at the seniors as well. Also try and break the top 5 on the LQS world tour as I ended up eight this year. Hey you might even see me at the odd shortboard comp.

Nicola Colson-Koster and pal, India Wray-Murane

Nicola Colson-Koster and pal, India Wray-Murane

{ sitka } 6 Osborne St. Newmarket, Auckland Available online and at fine retailers across the universe

{ sitka.co.nz { sitka } 6 Osborne St. Newmarket, Auckland Available online and at fine retailers across the universe