Getting to explore parts of New Zealand is a pretty special part of my job and these past ten days have involved a lap around the top half of Te Waipounamu. What a stunning country we have. I was lucky to see some seriously amazing waves along the way and I even had the chance to explore one of Nelson's best-kept secrets: Rainbow Ski Area.
It seemed strange to one day be photographing paddleboarders in bikinis and boardshorts exploring the Abel Tasman coastline and then to drive an hour-and-a-half out of Nelson to discover powder stashes in the rocky clefts of Rainbow Ski Area.
Crowning above the Nelson Lakes National Park with a view from Half Moon Ridge over Lake Rotoiti, this is one of the most beautiful ski fields I have visited. Its main lift is a T-bar that delivers you to a ridge that stretches west and east offering short hike access to some really cool aspects that still hide powder stashes even a few days after the last snowfall. Explore a little further and there is more to be found. I could spend days in these hills and never get bored.
On the way home from the Tasman region I hit the east coast and spent some time with the Lyons family at Kaikoura just as a long-period southwest swell starts to roll in. Every line-up turns on at once and, with the mountains filled with snow, it reminds me once again why Kaikoura is such a beautiful place to surf.
Down the road the Buller Boardriders and Kaikoura Boardriders Club go hammer and tongs in the Pete and Danny memorial contest held at perfect Kahutara as it pulses from 6-foot to 3-foot. With Levi O'Connor and Jai Earnshaw in the final it is a powerhouse event with some masterful surfing. The great vibes of this gathering is sensational and the canvas of perfect, solid waves just adds to the smell of campfire smoke and laughter that hangs in the air like a familiar friend.
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS We have four tickets to the Port Chalmers Seafood Festival (September 28) to giveaway. Each ticket is worth $25 and you can win one by taking part in our Facebook competition. Entry is super easy: tell us your favourite barbecue seafood recipe in a comment and share our post and you're in. What's it going to be? Chilli prawns with a squeeze of lime? Haloumi and scallop skewers? All washed down with an Emerson's of course!
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