Wow, what a journey it’s been! 5 years ago on a hot and muggy February day in Auckland, the idea of Water Nomads started to take shape. Since then, we came a long way. And we learned a lot about running a business.

The initial idea was to close the gap of performance windsurfing gear to rent in New Zealand. Our country has so many stunning spots, it’s impossible to pick one location. So we dared to go with a whole new concept: We allow and encourage our customers to take our gear in their travels, exploring the best New Zealand has to offer. Advise of the best spots comes included in the rental.

The concept proved to be a success, though Covid and the border closure in New Zealand cut off the stream of international travelers coming through.

Still, by then we had our Surfari Trips well established, which were well attended and popular with our domestic guests.

Over the last 2-3 years the watersports landscape changed again: wingfoiling is becoming more and more popular, and we are adapting our rental fleet and Surfari Trips to it.

Additional to our existing partners Starboard and Severne for windsurfing, we partner up with 2 kiwi brands for wingsurfing: PPC Foiling and Axis Foils. Both international players, designed and developed here in New Zealand. This enables us to offer our guests and customers premium gear while having excellent and direct support from the designers.

18 months ago we also gave up on having a fix base and moved into our van full time. Since then we have been traveling the country, exploring new spots, catching up with old friends and making new ones along the way. It’s been an amazing journey and we are absolutely loving it. Even though it makes the logistics for rental gear pretty challenging, it opens as well new opportunities in regards of locations.

What are our plans for the next 5 years?

We would like to continue doing what we love – sharing our passion in this amazing country with people from all over the world.

We are curious to see where the journey with wingsurfing will go and are stoked to be a part of it.