BoardZone Blog

Wenderholm ---> Puhoi Pub SUP Paddle

2011-12-13T20:37:00.000+13:00

Wenderholm ---> Puhoi Pub on the Surf Series 11' SUP

My mate and I finally got the conditions to do the Wenderholm to Puhoi Pub Paddle. Launched at low tide at Wenderholm and cruised up the estuary. We had a good breeze behind us got blown up the estuary for the first few kms. We cruised around and when we got about half way along we stopped at the mudflats below state highway 1 and the northern gateway tunnel and watched 200 bikers coming out of the tunnel and taking up all the motorway! There was only one place they were heading and we were too...the Puhoi Pub! :-0

We got to Puhoi in about 2 hours of gentle paddling and enjoying the scenery only to be greeted by sea of black leather, wrap around shades and 200 bikers out side the pub! We felt a bit fashion conscious as we pulled our SUPs up on the banks of the river. We appeared to be a little oasis of pastel colours in a swarm of black leather! We got a few funny looks but puffed out our chests and marched up to the bar to have a few well earned jugs. Classic biker scene at the pub with 200 of them and two SUPers. It was an annual event organised by the Hells Angels. Apparently last year there were 500 bikers at the pub!

That's what I really enjoy about exploring on the SUP as you never know what is around the next corner. We scored a lift back to Wenderholm so it was a one-way paddle. A great paddle with a great pub at the end of it.

Welcome to the Surf Series SUP blog!

2011-11-29T21:20:00.002+13:00

Check here for product information and action shots and SUP banter...

About Surf Series SUP brand:

Surf Series is an international SUP brand that is PROUDLY MADE IN NZ in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility utilising Kiwi technology. The boards are exported, sold and paddled around the world!

Surf Series Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP) are the best value in entry-level boards available. We spend a lot of time stand up paddling ourselves and designed the 11' SUP to provide as much stability and user friendliness possible.

The 11' is a proven shape that paddles great, very stable and gives excellent glide. Ideal for cruising, touring, fitness training, small wave riding and having fun!
Surf Series boards are designed and manufactured using the latest precision moulding technology right here in NZ - for a refreshing change! The impact resistance and robustness to wear of high a density polyethylene skin bonded to a light foam core is amazing! This strength and versatility means you don't have to worry about damaging it and going through the hassle of expensive ding repairs - no matter how much abuse you throw at it - it'll stand up to it! Full 1 year warranty comes as standard.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding is taking the water sports world by storm. SUP is the easiest water sport to master and NZ is the perfect environment for this dynamic and versatile sport!...But the average price for a SUP in NZ is $2,000...plus a paddle!!! We think those prices are just crazy and we want to promote SUP as a fun family beach sport to everyone - at a sensible price! Boardzone has worked hard to offer Surf Series at a break through price that opens the sport of SUP to everybody! We can do this by manufacturing in NZ, keeping our costs down, selling direct to you and deploying Kiwi technology, innovation and technical skills.

Surf Series is the only mass produced SUP brand made in NZ that exports boards for the global market - going against the trend of cheap manufacturing in Asia by deploying Kiwi precision moulding technology skills rather than cheap labour. The NZ market is now being swamped with a lot of cheap generic un-branded epoxy and PU boards that are made in China or Vietnam that just have sticker slapped on them...and suddenly they become a "SUP brand"!? Nothing wrong with that (NZ is a free market in a globalised world and has a free trade agreement with China) - but Surf Series is a real brand that is supported by the brand owners who are global water sports equipment industry leaders. The Surf Series is brand sold around the world via their international distribution network. So with a Surf Series SUP you are getting a brand that is into the sport for the long haul - not just a quick buck - and the Surf Series brand has invested heavily in NZ manufacturing technology and skills - so you are getting a NZ made SUP product that is also paddled around the world! Sweeet Bro!

Surf Series SUPs are perfect for:

First SUP board to get into this great sport - without breaking the bank!
The perfect affordable all family beach toy for this summer!
Your partner/kids now wants to get into SUP this summer
An extra board at the bach for family and friends
Boaties wanting a robust SUP as a tender to chuck in boat/yacht
Backpackers looking for a great value SUP for travelling
SUP schools and SUP rental fleets looking for a robust board with great R.O.I!
Those who like to Buy Kiwi Made and support NZ manufacturers!

Surf Series 11' SUP prototype being tested at Orewa filmed using suuuper-sloooo-moooo video mode:

Surf Series 11' SUP prototype testing at Orewa:

Welcome to the Surf Series Surfboard blog!

2011-11-29T20:59:00.000+13:00

Check here for product information and action shots and surf banter...

About the Surf Series surfboard brand:

Surf Series is an international surfboard brand that is PROUDLY MADE IN NZ in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility utilising Kiwi technology. The boards are exported, sold and paddled around the world!

Surf Series surfboards are the best value in entry-level boards available. We spend a lot of time surfing ourselves and designed the surfboard range to provide as much stability and user friendliness possible.

Surf Series boards are designed and manufactured using the latest precision moulding technology right here in NZ - for a refreshing change! The impact resistance and robustness to wear of high a density polyethylene skin bonded to a light foam core is amazing! This strength and versatility means you don't have to worry about damaging it and going through the hassle of expensive ding repairs - no matter how much abuse you throw at it - it'll stand up to it! Full 1 year warranty comes as standard.

Boardzone has worked hard to offer Surf Series at a break through price that opens the sport of surfing to everybody! We can do this by manufacturing in NZ, keeping our costs down, selling direct to you and deploying Kiwi technology, innovation and technical skills.

Surf Series is the only mass produced surfboard brand made in NZ that exports boards for the global market - going against the trend of cheap manufacturing in Asia by deploying Kiwi precision moulding technology skills rather than cheap labour. The NZ market is now being swamped with a lot of cheap generic un-branded epoxy and PU surfboards that are made in China or Vietnam that just have sticker slapped on them...and suddenly they become a "Surf brand"!? Nothing wrong with that (NZ is a free market in a globalised world and has a free trade agreement with China) - but Surf Series is a real brand that is supported by the brand owners who are global water sports equipment industry leaders. The Surf Series is brand sold around the world via their international distribution network. So with a Surf Series surfboard you are getting a brand that is into the sport for the long haul - not just a quick buck - and the Surf Series brand has invested heavily in NZ manufacturing technology and skills - so you are getting a NZ made surf product that is also surfed around the world! Sweeet Bro!

Surf Series surfboards are perfect for:

First surfboard to get into this great sport - without breaking the bank!
The perfect affordable all family surf toy for this summer!
Your partner/kids now want to get into surfing this summer
An extra board at the bach for family and friends
Backpackers looking for a great value surfboard for travelling
Surf schools and rental fleets looking for a robust board with great R.O.I!
Those who like to Buy Kiwi Made and support NZ manufacturers!

Every Surf Series surfboard comes complete with a leash and a free block of Sticky Johnson surf wax so you can start ripping!

Sticky Johnson was is super grippy, super sticky surf wax that lasts for the longest surf session. 100% hand-made in New Zealand, Sticky Johnson wax is a rub above the rest! Using natural ingredients Sticky Johnson offers long lasting stick to keep you shreding for session after session. For best results rub onto your board nose to tail then rail to rail to create super sticky mounds of Sticky Johnson. Riders include Maz Quinn, Luke Cederman and Rangi Ormond.

Buy NZ made and keep NZ ripping....

6'2 Surf Series Specifications:

Length: 6'2
Width: 18.7" / 47.5cm
Thickness: 2.5" / 6.5cm
Weight Range: 65kg or less
Fins: 3x Mini Tuttle - Fiber-filled polycarbonate - All-around surfing from novice to intermediate.

6'4 FISH Surf Series Specifications:

Length: 6'4
Width: 20.47" / 52cm
Thickness: 2.48" / 6.3cm
Weight Range: 50kg+
Fins: 3x Mini Tuttle - Fiber-filled polycarbonate - All-around surfing from novice to intermediate.

6'8 FUNBOARD Surf Series Specifications:

Length: 6'8
Width: 20.86" / 53.0cm
Thickness: 2.67" / 6.8cm
Weight Range: 65kg+
Fins: 3x Mini Tuttle - Fiber-filled polycarbonate - All-around surfing from novice to intermediate

7'6 FUNBOARD Surf Series Specifications:

Length: 7'6
Width: 21.25" / 54.0cm
Thickness: 3.07" / 7.8cm
Weight Range: 65kg+
Fins: 3x Mini Tuttle - Fiber-filled polycarbonate - All-around surfing from novice to intermediate.

7'10 FUNBOARD Surf Series Specifications:

Length: 7'10
Width: 21.46" / 54.5cm
Thickness: 3.07" /7.8cm
Weight Range: 65kg+
Fins: 3x Mini Tuttle - Fiber-filled polycarbonate - All-around surfing from novice to intermediate.

9'2 LONGBOARD Surf Series Specifications:

Length: 9'2
Width: 29.8" / 75.7cm
Thickness: 3.3" / 8.4cm
Weight Range: 65kg+
Fins: 8' Centre fin wet lay up technology + 2x Mini Tuttle side fins - Fiber-filled polycarbonate - All-around surfing from novice to intermediate.

Heaviest waves of the Day TEAHUPOO Mega Swell

2011-09-07T00:28:00.000+12:00

This is extreme sports folks!

SUP Guide to Ngataringa Bay, Devonport/Bayswater

2011-09-04T15:45:00.000+12:00

SUP Guide to Ngataringa Bay, Devonport/Bayswater

A wonderful harbour paddle that feels very remote even though it's so close to the city. Explore the mangroves and discover your own secret beach makes this a really fun paddle. Highly recommended.

Paddle Time: 30-60 mins reasonable paddling but add more time if cruising/exploring.

Launch/Parking: Ngataringa Access Rd past sports fields and stop by small access channel opposite the cricket nets and park on side of the road. Stanley Bay, Bayswater Ferry Wharf

Experience/Fitness Level: Great spot for Beginners and Intermediates+

Tide: Mid-High - very tidal so only mid-high tides.

Hazards: Very safe spot with very little boat traffic. Shelly bottom, rocky launch so booties useful. Tide sucks right out of the bay so keep an eye on it so you don't get stuck in the mudflats.

Wind: S-SW-W blows across/down the harbour so need light winds in those directions or gets choppy quickly. NW-N-NE winds blow across Ngataringa Bay. E-SE across the bay.

Tips: Booties useful as shelly bottom in places. Take a camera as there are some interesting photos and perspectives of the city.

Things to explore: Paddle east towards Lake Rd and into the mangroves and paddle as far up the mangroves as you dare or can turn around - what ever comes first. Paddling through the mangroves is really cool experience. Check out the secret shelly beach in the middle of the bay and have a picnic. Sprint across the bay and then explore the northern side and around into the Bayswater Marina and back again.

Amenities: Toilets at Bayswater Ferry Terminal?, Toilets at Ngataringa sports fields? Cafés/Bars in Devonport.

Map:

BoardZone's SUP Guide to Auckland

2011-09-03T12:45:00.001+12:00

Hi and welcome to Boardzone's SUP Guide to Auckland:

This is a guide to SUP paddling in and around Auckland. It will be added to and updated on a regular basis so check back here for new information.

Auckland is blessed with great conditions for SUP and places to explore. This guide is designed to help plan flat water routes and to give paddlers all the information they need to plan a paddle.

Note: Some of the longer direct/downwinder paddle routes may require two cars at the start and finish.

Weather can be changeable so always check the marine weather situation before you paddle!:

Auckland Marine Weather Link. Met Service Auckland Marine Forecast

WindGuru Forecast - WindGuru Auckland Forecast Well known and still the most accurate for wind speed and direction.

Auckland Harbour SUP Paddle Routes:

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Torpedo Bay, Devonport -----> Stanley Bay-----> Bayswater

This is a great paddle to take in Devonport and views of downtown Auckland with some lava reefs to explore and wharfs to paddle under. It can be in either direction with or against the tide.

Paddle Time: Torpedo Bay/Stanley Bay is 30mins reasonable paddling but add more time if cruising/exploring. If heading to/from Torpedo Bay to Bayswater allow for about 45min each way.

Launch/Parking: Torpedo Bay, Stanley Bay, and Bayswater Ferry Wharf

Experience/Fitness Level: Not for beginners as board wake and hazards. Intermediate+

Tide: Any - but tide rips in/out so can paddle against it for fitness and/or with it for down-winder fun.

Hazards: Shipping, ferries, boaties, yachties, naval base, nasty chop, fast flowing tides, look out for random boat/ferry wakes! Stay out of the shipping lane at all times!

Wind: S-SW-W blows across/down the harbour so need light winds in those directions or gets choppy quickly. NW-N-NE winds are ok as blow 'off shore' over Devonport. E-SE winds start to blow up the harbour and can make it choppy so need light winds.

Tips: Paddle close to the shore as there are a lot of vessels in the harbour and stay out of the shipping lane at all times! Paddle under Devonport wharf if enough headroom but keep and eye out for the ferry coming from Downtown! DO NOT paddle into the naval base! - but you can paddle past the moored ships and around the naval base and into Stanley Bay.

Things to explore: Lava reefs exposed from mid tide at Torpedo Bay. Pull in at Duders Beach below the Masonic Tavern and pop in for a quick pint :-). Paddle under Devonport Yacht Club wharf and explore the exposed lava reefs along the waterfront towards Windsor Reserve. Paddle up to and under Devonport Ferry terminal/wharf. Paddle towards the Naval base and past the moored ships. Keep paddling around the naval base and into Stanley Bay for a rest. Paddle from Stanley Bay past Stanley Point and across Ngataringa Bay to Bayswater Marina. Paddle through the marina and enjoy flat water and admire the boats.

Amenities: Toilets and drinking water at Devonport's Windsor Reserve and Stanley Bay, Bayswater Ferry Terminal?, Cafes/Bars in Devonport.