SOUTHLAND
For those who’ve never ventured this far south Southland is a hidden Gem waiting to be discovered, tucked away at the very bottom of the South island is the Southwest Coast. Spoilt for choice there is definitely something for everyone.
A large coastline which stretches from just below Dunedin to The Catlins then towards Invercargill’s Oreti Beach, Riverton Colac Bay, Pahia, Orepuki ,Te Waiwai Bay, The Waiau mouth, Blue Cliffs and then the West Coast. Punchy hollow left and right hand point breaks, mellow point breaks perfect for long boarding, River mouths, hollow or mellow beach breaks and fast shallow reefs. Swells are fairly consistent all year round. Some of the more popular places to surf especially in the summer are Curio Bay which works on a S swell N wind, Riverton Rocks S swell /SW wind and Colac Bay SW swell N wind.
In summer the local Surf Club Southland Boardriders Association Incorporated runs its club comps, Southland Scholastics surf champs and Summer Series. Winter is less crowded where the club season winds down and only the hardy surfer suits up. In summer water temp range from 12 to 15°C in winter 9 to 11 degrees. A 4/3mm wetsuit + 3mm boots are a must in winter, you will need a hood if it’s windy or the air is cold. In summer a 3/2 full length steamer is ideal or a 2 mm spring suit on the warmer days.
For those who’ve never ventured this far south Southland is a hidden Gem waiting to be discovered, tucked away at the very bottom of the South island is the Southwest Coast. Spoilt for choice there is definitely something for everyone.
A large coastline which stretches from just below Dunedin to The Catlins then towards Invercargill’s Oreti Beach, Riverton Colac Bay, Pahia, Orepuki ,Te Waiwai Bay, The Waiau mouth, Blue Cliffs and then the West Coast. Punchy hollow left and right hand point breaks, mellow point breaks perfect for long boarding, River mouths, hollow or mellow beach breaks and fast shallow reefs. Swells are fairly consistent all year round. Some of the more popular places to surf especially in the summer are Curio Bay which works on a S swell N wind, Riverton Rocks S swell /SW wind and Colac Bay SW swell N wind.
In summer the local Surf Club Southland Boardriders Association Incorporated runs its club comps, Southland Scholastics surf champs and Summer Series. Winter is less crowded where the club season winds down and only the hardy surfer suits up. In summer water temp range from 12 to 15°C in winter 9 to 11 degrees. A 4/3mm wetsuit + 3mm boots are a must in winter, you will need a hood if it’s windy or the air is cold. In summer a 3/2 full length steamer is ideal or a 2 mm spring suit on the warmer days.
Marama Pou
Kia ora My name is Marama Pou. I was Born in Invercargill and grew up in a surfing family in Riverton Southland. I have been surfing for 36 years and started out at a young age. My Dad first taught me to surf when I was 2 years old. I have early memories of my Dad pushing my brothers and I into knee deep waves at Taramea and Mitchell’s Bay. As I got older I would skate tandem with my brothers on an old school longboard down the hills carrying a surfboard under each arm and surf home. I started surfing competitively at the age of 14yrs doing local comps then gained sponsorship from So Fresh milk where my brothers and I became the ‘Primo kids’, the faces for Primo flavoured milk .
I am a former Otago Southland Junior development squad member and New Zealand Reserve Team Rep. Surfing in Southland was always very male dominated there was not much competition. Very few girls surfed so my parents joined up with The South Coast Board riders. I still casually compete in the South Island circuit for fun to show my 11 year old daughter she can do anything and to support her in her passion for competitive surfing.
My family now has 3 generations of female surfers: my Mum who’s in her early 60’s, younger sister, 2 nieces, my 11 year old daughter and I. We are all a part of the Southland Board riders association and my Daughter and I also the Southern Wahine. I am passionate about women’s surfing and so glad to be a part of the AWSA . There is a growing population of female surfers in the deep south and a lot of young talent in which I look forward to helping create a network of support for the future. If you are ever in our part of the South Island and want to share a wave and some southern surfing hospitality look us up.
Marama Pou
Kia ora My name is Marama Pou. I was Born in Invercargill and grew up in a surfing family in Riverton Southland. I have been surfing for 36 years and started out at a young age. My Dad first taught me to surf when I was 2 years old. I have early memories of my Dad pushing my brothers and I into knee deep waves at Taramea and Mitchell’s Bay. As I got older I would skate tandem with my brothers on an old school longboard down the hills carrying a surfboard under each arm and surf home. I started surfing competitively at the age of 14yrs doing local comps then gained sponsorship from So Fresh milk where my brothers and I became the ‘Primo kids’, the faces for Primo flavoured milk .
I am a former Otago Southland Junior development squad member and New Zealand Reserve Team Rep. Surfing in Southland was always very male dominated there was not much competition. Very few girls surfed so my parents joined up with The South Coast Board riders. I still casually compete in the South Island circuit for fun to show my 11 year old daughter she can do anything and to support her in her passion for competitive surfing.
My family now has 3 generations of female surfers: my Mum who’s in her early 60’s, younger sister, 2 nieces, my 11 year old daughter and I. We are all a part of the Southland Board riders association and my Daughter and I also the Southern Wahine. I am passionate about women’s surfing and so glad to be a part of the AWSA . There is a growing population of female surfers in the deep south and a lot of young talent in which I look forward to helping create a network of support for the future. If you are ever in our part of the South Island and want to share a wave and some southern surfing hospitality look us up.
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