Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries:
Autumn has been generous with waves in the south, but it's only a matter of time before the bite of deep winter sets in. To be honest it's one of my favourite times of the year. The crowds thin right out (how busy did it get on Sunday night?) the wave generator cranks up and we're chasing that one 3-hour window of perfection each day between sunrise and sunset.
If the swell that is currently turning random North Island beaches into once or twice in a lifetime lineups makes its way to us then we're in for something special. This swell, as destructive as it has been with the coastline, is an incredibly late season system and stuck right off the east coast where we dream it will be.
Some of the lineups that are turning into all-time point breaks and reefbreaks, almost never reach this level of quality. It's pretty special to see inner harbour and city beaches – even the inside point at Mount Maunganui reeling off like they're on the Tweed Coast.
We had waves everywhere this past week. I stayed to enjoy the creature comforts of St Clair, which rolled through some pretty dreamy moments. Saturday and then Sunday evening was my pick. Most of the good surfers were using the ramps in the wonky swell to sharpen their air games. That always helps to make a good picture.
Here's a useful link to help you plan your week ...
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS Over at New Zealand Surf Journal we've been flat out reviewing wetsuits so we can help you avoid a lemon – there are a lot of wetsuits on the market that just won't survive an Otago winter. Check out our reviews before you find yourself in the wrong one. All our New Zealand Surf Journal reviews live here.
Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries: