Piha Surf School teaches perfect technique to beginners through to advanced surfers.

High Tide on Saturday 28th will be at 1.50pm. On Sunday the high tide will be at 2.30pm.
With the increase of swell (over 2m) and light onshore winds, advanced surfers may find some waves out on the outside bar on the low tide. For beginner surfers, the three hours before high tide each day will be best.Tip for the weekend Take a marker on the beach so that you know exactly where you are surfing and if there is a cross current pulling away from the best waves.

Piha's Ronnie Roman surfing at Piha in 1965. Photo: David Reece-George

The 2012 NZ Surfing Champs will be the 50th Anniversary of the event and will be held at Piha Beach from 15th Jan. to 21st of Jan.
The NZ Surfing Champs' history means all 25 divisions ranging from Under 14 year olds to Over 60 year olds, bodyboard, longboard, kneeboard and SUP's will be strongly contested. There are 25 titles on the line and 100 final placings. This will be a super exciting event for spectators. Lion Rock Boardriders Club are hosting the event and will have a fantastic food tent supplying delicious snacks to all attending. There will be a number of Piha Surf School students competing. Stay tuned for updates.

2011 Auckland Champ, Thomas Kibblewhite is favourite to win the National Longboard Title.

High Tide on Saturday 14th will be at 2.20pm. On Sunday the high tide will be at 3.15pm.
The swell will be between 1.5m and 2m most of the weekend, dropping off on Sunday afternoon. The wind will be light onshore both days. While the high tide will be the only time best for beginners and intermediate surfers, the 2012 NZ Surfing Champs will be taking place at Piha Beach. The Longboard division will be on and it will be exciting watching the longboarders take on the 2 metre swells out on the outside bar. This may mean the only place suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers will be at North Piha by United Surf Club.Tip for the weekend When you are unsure what the currents are doing, Surf in a 30 metre channel just outside the Lifeguard's flagged area. That generally will be be the safest part of the beach.

Piha Surf School student Tane Wallis, 13 years old and finding the best part of a wave.

High Tides on Saturday 7th will be at 9am and 9.20pm. On Sunday the high tides will be at 9.50am 10pm.
The swell will be between 1.5m and 2m most of the weekend. The wind will be mostly offshore and light on Saturday meaning good waves on both the high and low tides. On Sunday the wind will be light in the morning but will increase to 10-15 knots from the southerly quarter in the afternoon. This should mean good surf but with a slight increase in swell, beginner and intermediate surfers should look to do their thing before noon on Sunday. Sunday afternoon will be most suited to advanced surfers from lunch to 6pm, with Sunday evening coming right for beginner surfers again.

St. Dominic's College student enjoys her first ever lesson with Piha Surf School

Learning to surf is so much fun and a surf lesson voucher is a gift people remember.
Piha Surf School instructors know that voucher lessons are gifts from friends or family and so make a special effort to ensure the recipients of vouchers have the best time while still learning as much about surfing as possible. Surfing is an incredible sport that enhances your vitality and connection with nature in a way that is both fun and addictive. Piha Surf School instructors will show you techniques that will improve your ability quickly in a fun and safe manner.

Kieren Perrow on one of the waves that won him the 2011 Pipeline title.

The 2011 Pipeline Masters held on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, was won by Australian surfer Kieren Perrow.
The conditions for the contest had been shifty due to the wind and uneven swell. The smarter surfers were able to pick the best waves and progress through their heats. Kieren Perrow beat fellow Australian, Joel Parkinson, with two waves that he caught inside 2 minutes during the middle of their 40 minute final. Joel Parkinson had only just beaten 11 time world champ, Kelly Slater, in the semi's but could not find the waves to match an 'on form' Kieren Perrow who went one better than his 2nd place at the same event last year.

Piha Surf School surfer, Tane, surfing to 2nd in the Under 18 Division at Dunedin at this year's National Champs.

The 2012 NZ Surfing Champs are coming to Piha between 15th and 21st of January. This will be the 50th Anniversary of the NZ Surfing Champs.
The event includes around 380 surfers from all around NZ competing for 24 different divisions ranging from Under 14 year olds to Over 60's There will kneeboarders, bodyboarders, longboarders and standup paddleboarders involved. Finals day will include the crowning of the 2012 champions and a massive treasure hunt put on by Lion Rock Boardriders Club who are hosting the event. For more info you can check the Lion Rock Boardriders Club facebook page.

Tuberiding at Piha with Lion Rock in the background.

Piha High Tides: Saturday 4.45pm
Sunday 5.30am/5.45pm

The waves for the weekend will be optimum for beginners and intermediate surfers. Advanced surfers could get lucky if they pick the right bank on the mid tide. The swell forecast is for 1/2 - 1 m waves and a strong offshore picking up on Sunday.
This weekend will be perfect to explore the beaches either side of Piha to find that magic sand bank and uncrowded waves. From lunchtime onwards should be best on both days although with rain and a wind change late Sunday afternoon means early afternoon will be better. Weekend Tip: Watch out for board blow back from the offshore wind.

Great technique will improve surfers of all ages.

Piha High Tides: Saturday 4.40pm
Sunday 5.20am/5.50pm

The prediciton for the weekend is for the swell to come up to 3 metres and for there to be light onshore winds. This means the surf on Saturday will be best 2 hours before high tide and two hours after. Beginners will find it best from noon onwards with the mid tide creating some good easy to get to reforms.
On Sunday, the swell is smaller and advanced and intermediate surfers will be able to get waves out on the bar again. The high tide will create the same conditions as Saturday. Weekend Tip: The best 'reform' waves are the ones with extra water volume.

The Auckland Surfing Champs had both shortboard and longboard surfing. Through analysing video footage, especially in small waves and on waves you are likely to surf, you can see important tips on technique.

Tane Wallis (Under 18 champ) and Thomas Kibblewhite (Open Men's champ), show off their trophies.

NZ Longboard Champion, Thomas Kibblewhite dominated some of Auckland's best shortboarders to win the prestigious Auckland Surfing Champ title at Piha last Saturday. Thomas displayed superior wave selection on both his shortboard and longboard to win both titles for 2011.

Piha Surf School surfers, Zen and Tane Wallis surfed well with Tane placing 2nd in the Open Men's and 1st in the Under 18's while Zen placed 2nd in the Longboard and 3rd in the Open Men's. Other students, Gage Loomans and Lloyd Pownall placed 3rd and 4th in the Under 18's.

Piha Surf School instructor, Zen Wallis, surfing a remote reef in Indonesia. (Sept. 2011)

Piha High Tides: Saturday 6am and 6.30pm.
Sunday 7am and 7.30pm. Monday 8am and 8.30pm

The wind will be light onshores all weekend with a 1.5 metre swell dropping to 1 metre by Monday. There will be surfable waves all weekend out on the Bar for advanced and intermediate surfers.
For kids and beginners, the 2 hours either side of high tide will be best by Lion Rock. The water has warmed up a bit so it will be a fun weekend for surfing at Piha. Weekend Tip: If the All Blacks lose, be mature about it!

Piha Beach and North Piha are divided by a massive rock that looks like a sitting Lion.

Piha High Tides: Saturday 12 noon.
Sunday 12.40pm

The wind will be light onshores both Saturday and Sunday. There is a chance for fun waves for advanced surfers on the outside bar at Piha Beach early each morning.
For kids, beginners and intermediate surfers, the 2 hours before high tide will be best. The best spot will again be between the Piha Surf Club and Lion Rock. Weekend Tip: Do some stretches before you go into the water and notice how much sharper your reflexes will be. Go the All Blacks and the Kiwis. Enjoy.

The Piha Cafe is now open on Friday and Saturday evenings until 7pm for beer, wine and pizzas.

Piha High Tides: Saturday 7.50am.
Sunday 8.40am

With the early high tides, it will be important to get up early if you want the best conditions. The wind will be light both Saturday and Sunday with a 1.5 metre swell.
For kids, beginners and intermediate surfers, there is a perfect wave pool by Lion Rock at high tide that you can paddle out to straight in front of the Piha Surf Club, while advanced surfers will still find fun waves out on the Bar at low tide. Weekend Tip: Count how many waves you catch. It will help you to improve faster.

Piha High Tides: Saturday 1 pm.
Sunday 1.40pm

The surf is looking really good for the weekend. 1-2 metre waves on Saturday morning dropping down to 1 metre on Sunday. The wind will be offshore both days and up to 15 knots which gives us hope for barreling waves.
Both mornings will have good waves on the bar first thing with the high tide peaks up North Piha coming into their own from 10am onwards. Weekend Tip: Beware of blow back from the wind. Cover your face and head anytime you come back to the surface after falling off.

Left: Joel Armitstead showing that regardless of conditions, there are always good waves on the inside at Piha Beach.

Piha Surf School coach, Zen Wallis coaching Tahitian surfer Jaouen Quenee. Jaouen went back to Tahiti and promptly won the next regional contest he entered.

Piha High Tides: Saturday 7.30am.
Sunday 8.30am.

We have small 3-4 foot (1-1.5m) waves predicted for the weekend. Saturday morning will be offshore and perfect. There will be waves up and down Piha and North Piha Beaches. It will pay to be up early to make the most of the high tide, but there should still be good waves on the dropping tide if you find the right spot.
Sunday morning early will still have light winds and while not as clean as Saturday morning, should still be great fun. The wind isn't predicted to come up until after lunch and with the south west change and low tide on the Bar, there should be reasonable waves all day. Tip: Check conditions and set yourself realistic goals before you hit the water and you may surprise yourself. (more below)

Gabriel Median surrounded by Piha Surf School students straight after winning his Under 18 World Title at Piha last year.

17 year old Brazilian surfer, Gabriel Medina, who won the World Junior Surfing Champs at Piha last year, is now on the World Title tour surfing against the likes of Kelly Slater. Gabriel Medina's rise through the ranks of world surfing has been expected since he scored a perfect heat score of 20 from 20 points in France 2 years ago.

Medina is one of 6 Brazilians who have risen to the top 32 surfers in the world with their incredible ability to make aerial type turns almost at will. The recent success of Brazilian surfing is a result of professional coaching and training techniques and the enthusiasm of the surfers themselves.

Nat Barron sampling some North Piha perfection

High Tides: Saturday 12.20pm.
Sunday 1 pm.

The surf this Saturday and Sunday will be large 2-3m with onshore winds. The best time to surf for beginners on Saturday will be from 9am onwards, while intermediate and advanced surfers will want to wait until 11 am to ride one of the reforms on the inside.
Sunday will have similar conditions with beginners also starting around 9am for the best and safest conditions. Intermediate and advanced surfers should look to surf between 11.30am and the high tide at 1 pm. Piha Beach will be the safest spot this weekend.

Seagh, Grace, Jade, Yasmin and Grace after competing in a Lion Rock Boardriders Club contest. For more info email lionrockbdrs@xtra.co.nz

High Tides: Saturday 8.20am.
Sunday 9. am.

The surf for Friday and Saturday will be epic. The wind is offshore and the swell will be in the 3-5 foot range which means there will be good waves at all parts of the beach at different tides. The low tide will be best at Piha Beach out on the bar while at high, North Piha will have a number of good breaks.
On Sunday it will still be offshore hopefully until the wind turns just before lunch. Conditions will deteriote fast into the afternoon so it will pay to be up early on Sunday if you want the best conditions. Have fun, stay safe.
...... and go the All Blacks!

Cheyenne Taylor enjoying the high tide inside lagoon created by Taitomo Is. (Camel Rock) in the background.

High Tides: Saturday 1.30pm.
Sunday 2.20pm.

The surf for the weekend will be in the 2 metre range but will drop a bit on Sunday afternoon. The winds will be from the South West which is onshore, but will be light enough for advanced surfers to still get lucky on the outside bar while intermediate surfers will want to target the hour before high tide each day. Conditions for beginner surfers will be best in the inside lagoon from 9.30 am until high tide both days.
Piha Surf School instructors are available to run lessons 7 days a week and can assist you to make the most of the conditions so that you improve your surfing faster.

Auckland has many options for surfing in all directions, but the closest and most consistent break is the Piha Bar.

Kelly Slater 39 years old - still the best in the world!

31st August 2011. Kelly Slater has won the Billabong Pro in Tahiti in some of the best waves ever seen in a contest. Kelly (38) beat rookie of the year, Owen Wright (22) from Austalia in the final yesterday. This was Kelly Slater's 2nd win from 5 contests in the World Title race and has put him back on top of the ratings despite missing the 4th event in South Africa.

Kelly Slater is still beating all other surfers at the top level on a regular basis. What many people don't know is that Kelly was coached as a child by the likes of Matt Kechele long before most surfers had even thought about the benefits of coaching. Coaching won't guarantee you surf like Kelly Slater but it will speed up how fast you learn to surf and how good your technique will be.

Piha Surf School has specialist classes for different age groups and abilities down to 5 and 6 year olds. Piha Beach has a large variation in tide heights.

On the 24th August 2011, Graeme Moody got into trouble jumping off the rocks at Angourie, New South Wales, (Aust.), and drowned. Rock jumps are one of the more dangerous parts of surfing. Getting the timing right and knowing when there is a lull in the waves is something that comes through experience.

Surfing is a sport with inherent dangers. Through experience and coaching you can learn to reduce the risks. Graeme Moody's death was a freak occurance but also a warning to all of us to take utmost care. Rest in Peace Graeme.

The swell jumped up at the Billabong Pro in Tahiti today so the contest was put on hold while certain dare devils got towed into the famous T'eahupoo caverns.

The Billabong Pro in Tahiti is the 5th of the top 11 contests in the world that are part of the series to find the World Champion. This is the one contest where turns are not really scored by the judges. All focus is on riding through the tube and the highest scores are given to the surfers who disappear inside the biggest thickest tubes.

Hudson Copely - 7 years old with supreme style.

On Saturday high tide is at 9am at Piha. The swell will be around 1.5 metres with light winds, possibly offshore first thing. This means North Piha will be pumping and if you find the right bank you could get very lucky. The wind will come up from the west during the afternoon but won't be strong enough to upset the good bank out on the bar.

On Sunday high tide is at 9.45am with light winds again and similar size swell to Saturday. The best time for beginner surfers will be between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Intermediate and advanced surfers will find good waves all day long depending on which bank they choose. All up, the surf rating for the weekend will be 4 out of 5. Enjoy!

Piha Surf School uses video analysis to improve advanced and intermediate surfers.

Ezra Ashtom carving his way to another win.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are forecast to have light southerly winds and 3-4 foot waves. The high tide on Saturday is at 2.30pm which means there will be waves on the bar in the morning, with the potential for some good banks to come into form up North Piha from 11.30am onwards.

On Sunday, conditions will be very similar with a 3.10pm high tide. The swell will be slightly smaller which will mean the bar will be at it's best around 8.30am while North Piha will be affected by the cross shore wind and will be best about 1pm. Enjoy!

Winter surfing in Piha.

At 1.50pm today what began as yet another hail shower, changed to light white flakes falling from the sky. The light snow coincided with the wind backing off after 30 hours of 40 knot south westerly winds. While the the snow shower only lasted for about 5 minutes, it was enough to turn the top of a trampoline totally white.

Being typical Auckland, the sun then came out and 15 minutes later there wasn't the slightest evidence of an event that hasn't been recorded in Piha for over 60 years. If it doesn't snow tonght, we may be calling it the turning point in the weather with the days getting longer and temperatures definitely having to get warmer. It's time to get some lessons and start surfing.

On the 6th and 7th of August, Piha Surf School intructor Zen Wallis and his brother, Tane ventured north to compete in the 30th Polar Bear Classic surfing contest held at Northland's Sandy Bay. The event which is run by the Northcoast Boardriders Club was held in 2-3 foot clean offshore waves.

Tane Wallis won the Under 18 division and placed 2nd in the premiere Open Men's division. NZ National Longboard Champ, Thomas Kibblewhite won the Longboard with Piha Surf School Instructor, Zen Wallis placing 4th. In the Over 40's division, 2 times National Over 40's champ, Rick Lasch came first while NZ Over 40' Longboard Champ, Brian Young placed 2nd. In the Open Men's division it was Zen again who convincingly took out the main prize.

Rumi Thompson showing perfect technique.

Waves for the weekend are looking good at Piha for young and all. The tides are mid morning and Saturday in particular is looking to be offshore and around 3-4'. This week there has been a great bank on the bar and some fun peaks up North Piha

The forecast for Sunday is for light winds but for the swell to kick in a bit rising potentially through the day to 2 metres. The good news is this won't affect the high tide in the morning and there should be enough south in the wind to keep the outside bar clean as the tide drops. If every thing follows current predictions, this should be one of the best weekends for surf on the west coast for some time. Enjoy!

Kelly Slater continued to build his reputation as the 'Best Surfer Ever' by winning the 2011 US Open at Huntington Beach, (C.A.), yesterday. Not only did he pocket US$100 000.00 for his efforts, but in his semi-final against Hawaii's Dusty Payne, Kelly made what is arguably the best ever move in a surf contest.

With aerial moves like reverses and even aerial 360's (full rotations in the air), becoming more common place in contests, it was to the crowd's amazement when Dusty Payne made a super difficult, 'backhand' (back to the wave) aerial 360 to gain a commanding lead over Kelly Slater. Dusty had made a move that should have beaten 99% of surfers, but like the freak that he is, and with only minutes left on the clock, Kelly launched into his own backhand aerial 360 that was twice as big and twice as difficult, scoring 9.73 pts, winning the heat and leaving Dusty Payne hitting the water in disbelief and frustration. See Kelly's winning move in the video.

Piha experienced super low tides this week and with an unusual build up of sand, a beach formed beside the Beehive on each low tide. The Beehive is a rock out by Taitomo Island (aka Camel Rock), at the south end of Piha Beach. The 'Beehive' is normally surrounded by water and is out where the main left hand surf break, 'the Piha Bar', peels across into the bay.

From Left: Ben Poulter, JC Susan, Tane Wallis, Zen Wallis, Paige Hareb, Steve Poulter(manager)

Piha Surf School instructor, Zen Wallis, competed for the NZ Tag Team (relay team) which placed 7th at the 2011 World Surfing Games, going within 3 points of both South Africa and USA after over an hours surfing.

Zen's brother, Tane Wallis, led the way by placing a score of 6.7 for his first wave keeping the NZ team in the lead for most of the event and they were only just beaten in the final minutes.

Ben Poulter, JC Susan and Tane Wallis have all been students of Piha Surf School. The 8 member NZ team achieved a credible 9th place from the 30 countries competing.

Australia, yet again, took out the Team title for the 2011 event.

Zen Wallis surfing in Panama.

Piha Surf School surfer, Zen Wallis placed 37th in the Open Men's division to place the highest in that division of the NZ surfers. At only 19 years old, Zen has enjoyed his opportunity to perform on the world stage and relished the opportunity to be part of a fantastic NZ Team environment.

The Open Men's division was contested by over 90 surfers including the 2010 Pipeline Masters' Champ, Jeremy Flores (France) and former top WCT surfers Nathan Hedge and Mick Campbell (Australia). Two Australian surfers, Mick Campbell and Thomas Woods, made the final but the Gold Medal went to Argentina's Santiago Moniz.

For the last year and a half, Piha Surf School coach, Zen Wallis, has been trialling a New Zealand designed product for increasing the speed of a surfboard. The product is called 'Spray on Speed' which has been scientifically tested in Australia and proven to reduce drag by 25%.

For more information on 'Spray on Speed' or details on how to buy 'Spray on Speed', contact Zen by emailing him at zen@pihasurfschool.com . Check out the video (left) to see what 'Spray on Speed' has done for Zen's surfing.

Video, camera and media internet megastore, Global Media Pro has come on board to assist Piha Surf School surfers, Zen and Tane Wallis, travel to compete for New Zealand at the International Surfing Association's 'World Surfing Games' in Panama. The event will have 30 teams from around the world competing for top team honours while all individual surfers compete for Gold medals in their respective divisions.

The 2011 World Surfing Games will be held in the tropical waters of Playa Venaeo in Panama, beginning on the 27th June and finishing on 2nd July.

On the 1st of May 2011, a number of kids from Lion Rock Boardriders Club attended a training at Piha Point up North Piha Beach. The waves were small but had perfect shape and all the kids got some great rides.

The surfers included, Jennifer, Yasmin, Maiya, Emma, Amber, Charlotte, Seagh, and ofcourse token males, Liam and Zen. Piha Surf School does regular training sessions for kids wanting to take their surfing to the next level and compete in national events.

Asha Skidmore receiving her $400 voucher.

Piha Surf School surfer, Asha Skidmore placed 1st in the Under 12 girls division at the Billabong Grom Contest at Piha over the weekend. The contest attracted the best under 16 surfers from throughout New Zealand to compete for prizes and $400 Billabong gift vouchers. Jennifer Rockwell, another Piha Surf School student placed 3rd in the Under 14 girls division.

First place in the Under 14 boys division, Quinn Matenga, thanked Piha Surf School founder, Phil Wallis, in his victory speech for helping with local knowledge on the conditions while 1st place getter in the Under 16 girls had her board repaired in 2 hours by Piha Surf School after ripping a fin out on the rocks.

Lion Rock Boardriders Club ran its 5th contest in its 2011 'Summer Series'. Jocquinna Rockwell took out the girls division while Ezra Ashton took out the boys. Both are Piha Surf School students with Ezra being part of the Henderson High School Surf Team. Lion Rock Boardriders Club is an incorporated society that puts on quality events for people of all ages who enjoy beach culture. (you don't have to be a surfer.

For more information contact Mike Jolly at Piha Surf Shop on (09) 812 8723, or President, Clive Moreton, on (09) 834 6777, or email lionrockbdrs@xtra.co.nz

Auckland has many options for surfing in all directions, but the closest and most consistent break is the Piha Bar.

Piha Beach provides surf on a daily basis that is perfect for people wanting to learn to surf. On a fairly regular basis, Piha can provide world class waves that can test the best surfers. The most consistant quality break in the Auckland area is the 'Piha Bar' which is a sand bar that froms up at the entrance to the Piha bay. The northerly aspect of Piha Beach means that a southerly wind which can be onshore on the rest of the west coast will be offshore on the bar. During October 2010 the sand bar at Piha was nearing it's best form.