Gisborne’s Where the Surf’s At

In a Condé Nast Traveler feature, pros weigh in on the best places in the world for a surf trip – whether it’s for learning the sport, testing your chops on six-foot swells, or simply soaking up surf culture. One of the featured locations is right here in New Zealand, in Tairāwhiti Gisborne.

“Known for its consistent waves, pleasant weather, and friendliness to outsiders – it’s also a lesser-known alternative to the country’s surfing hotspot of Raglan, which makes Gisborne popular among professional surfers,” Ali Wunderman writes for the publication.

“‘The East Coast of the North Island is a haven for offshore winds, calm seas, and good vibes,’ says Kiwi surfer Ricardo Christie, a regular fixture among Gisborne’s breaks. That said, Christie, like many local pros, won’t tell you exactly which spots are the best – he recommends checking out the diversity of waves along the coast, and keeping things low-profile: “Don’t go naming all the spots online,” Christie asks of visitors.”

Original article by Ali Wunderman, Condé Nast Traveler, October 21, 2021.