Day 75 – Surf’s up dude

Early start for our 9am surf lesson with Raglan Surf School. Our teacher, Anna from the Netherlands, was a proper surf chick and had been travelling for the past four years surfing. We started out on land, practicing the basics of getting into the standing position. I remembered a few things things from years ago but it was good too get a refresh.

Next stop – the beach. The weather started out rotten but by the time we were suited up is was sunny and warm. Anna informed us, the uninitiated, that the break was good and the white water we’d be riding was strong. First wave and I was up! Just to prove it wasn’t a fluke I did it again. Tom followed suit and for the next forty minutes we had a totally rad time.

Anna was impressed with out progress and instructed us in how to turn. Back into the waves I headed and really started to get the feel for the board and the waves. I soon worked out what would be a good wave to paddle for and managed to stand up on most of them. The more I caught improved my balance and I managed to switch to riding goofy.

An hour later and the lesson ended; gutted I could have stayed out all day. Leaving the sea though I felt tired from fighting the surf so perhaps a full day wouldn’t have been a good idea. Can’t wait to get some more time in the sea. One day I’d like to come back to Raglan and ride the waves on the famous Manu beach. Either way I’d like to return to Raglan as its beautiful and the atmosphere is so relaxed.

Leaving Raglan behind we followed signs for Bridal Vale Falls; how could we resist after the Niagara namesake we so impressive. We weren’t disappointed, the falls were absolutely stunning and similar to the Yosemite ones in all but height. Equally impressive was the walkway that allowed us to view the top middle and bottom of the falls. After declaring that I’d seem my last fall the other day I have to say I’d go back tomorrow to see this one.

I think Raglan liked having us around as it was quite and adventure trying to get out. First we went down one road, that turned into a dirt track then ended abruptly where the road had fallen away into the river. There weren’t any signs to indicate this so we had a  long drive back. The next road we took turned into gravel as well as left us totally bemused as the map only showed one road out.

Eventually we made it to Waitomo where we planned to stop the night before doing some black water rafting through the glow worm caves in the morning. By luck we chanced upon a place I’d seen advertised on the Internet and promptly booked a room and rafting tour. The hostel also had a climbing wall on the front lawn so I got some practice in.