Our Story
Born of adventure.
At Water Nomads, our story is simple: we’re adventurers at heart. We live for exploring off the beaten path, discovering new places, immersing ourselves in different cultures, and forging new friendships. Our passion for wingsurfing, windsurfing, and surfing runs deep, as does our love for the stunning landscapes of New Zealand. Most of all, we thrive on seeing others experience the same joy and exhilaration we do on the water.
What better way to combine these passions than by creating a business that empowers people worldwide to experience New Zealand through our eyes?
Water Nomads began in 2018 with a humble yet powerful idea: to offer long-term rental of premium windsurfing equipment to international visitors. We soon expanded our fleet to include high-performance surfboards and have since grown into New Zealand’s leading Wingfoil, Surf, and Windsurf centre for long-term equipment hire.
We quickly realised we could offer so much more. Understanding the challenge of navigating unfamiliar spots with limited time, we launched our Surfari Trip packages in 2019. Our deep knowledge of local wind, weather, tides, access points, and hidden dangers ensures seasoned riders can explore new locations safely and maximise their time on the water. What started as a few local wave sailing trips to Taranaki has now become a core offering. Our most popular destinations include Taranaki, the Far North, and the Canterbury Lakes. For 2024, we’ve added Great Barrier Island, and 2025 brings exciting Wing Foiling Wave Riding in Taranaki!
In 2021, truly embracing our “Nomads” name, Water Nomads went fully mobile. Living the “vanlife,” we now travel the length and breadth of New Zealand, constantly seeking out new locations and making new friends. While operating a business on the road has its challenges, it opens up incredible opportunities for discovery and connection. If you spot our van at your local beach, don’t hesitate to say hello!
By supporting local regions and businesses, Water Nomads provides the ultimate experience: come a stranger, leave a friend.
Meet the Nomads
Heidi
The Waterwoman Behind the Dream
Growing up on the shores of Lake Constance, Germany, Heidi was hooked on windsurfing from the moment she could hold a boom. Her youth trophies are a testament to her early passion, which led her to study in Kiel, Germany's windsurf capital. During and after university, she spent every spare moment exploring Europe's coastlines in her trusty van, chasing waves and adventures.
In 2009, a spontaneous twist of fate brought Heidi to New Zealand. Backpacking out of her aging Subaru with just a surfboard and mountain bike, her six-month journey left her captivated by the stunning and diverse coast. More importantly, she found a community whose outlook on life resonated deeply. Barely 18 months later, she returned as a New Zealand resident.
Settling in was effortless. Auckland's harbours, with their east and west coast beaches, offered unparalleled windsurfing and surfing opportunities. It felt natural for Heidi to become a Starboard and Severne Team Rider for NZ Boardstore. Yet, her desire for adventure didn't stop there; the Pacific beckoned! She quickly mastered the intricacies of air travel with bulky gear to remote destinations. This also highlighted a significant gap: the absence of dedicated windsurf centres in New Zealand, forcing enthusiasts to bring their own equipment.
Heidi's concept was simple: create a long-term Wingsurf, Windsurf, and Surf hire outlet with no restrictions on where or when. This meant renting premium, cutting-edge equipment from top brands — not clumsy, old learner boards — that any intermediate, advanced, or pro rider would feel at home on, and taking it with you on your journey for a week, two weeks, or more.
In 2018, Heidi founded Water Nomads, beginning to share her incredible New Zealand backyard with the world.
Bevan
The Wilderness Enthusiast
Growing up in Christchurch, New Zealand, Bevan was surrounded by city, rural, and backcountry environments. However, it was the raw wilderness of the South Island that captured his heart early on, shaping his adventurous spirit. Venturing into the unknown felt completely normal to him; he loved hiking the backcountry, pushing his physical and mental limits. This adventurous spirit also fostered a keen eye for capturing stunning places and beautiful moments, leading to a lifelong passion for photography.
Eventually, New Zealand felt too small, and the Kiwi OE (overseas experience) called. After six months of hitching and snowboarding through the thick Canadian winter, Bevan developed a deep appreciation for warm company in wild places. When funds ran low, London became his base, offering access to Europe's finer delights: gourmet food, exquisite wine, and Belgian beer. But after nearly five years, something was missing – that raw wilderness, the essence of New Zealand.
Returning home, Nelson became his new haven, a paradise for backcountry hiking and mountain biking. Four years later, a career move brought Bevan to Auckland, where he was soon introduced to the world of windsurfing. A holiday in Maui provided a steep learning curve but perfected his water-starts.
It quickly became clear to Bevan that New Zealand lacked a specialist hire centre for watersports equipment, especially for bulky windsurf gear. Excess luggage costs were soaring, baggage allowances shrinking, and airline liability for gear damage was almost impossible to recover. He knew there had to be a better way for international travellers to make the most of their journey to far-flung New Zealand.
Teaming up with Heidi, Water Nomads was formed.
Tiaki means ‘to care and protect’ in Te Reo Māori and this Tourism NZ campaign gives tips on travelling responsibly while in New Zealand.
Whenever possible we will use re-useable items rather than disposable ones to save waste.
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