FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Unlike in the Northern Hemisphere, New Zealand doesn’t have many dedicated watersports centers. You’ll find a few watersports schools at major city beaches, but board rentals are usually on an hourly or daily basis and aren’t always at the best locations.

Water Nomads is the closest thing to a mobile watersports rental center. We offer the flexibility to hire premium gear from any main center and take it with you on your travels to ride all the amazing, remote spots you’ve heard about.

You can also join one of our Surfari trips in prime locations, which are optimized for the weather. Rent the gear of your choice for the duration of the trip, then choose to hire it longer if you want. We also offer a Custom Surfari option where we take care of all the planning for you!

Yes! Although New Zealand’s population is relatively small, you’ll meet other “frothers” as keen as you are. If you find yourself in a beautiful spot with good conditions and no one else around, you might have discovered a new secret spot!

We are not a school, and we do not offer specific surf camps. Our Surfari trips are designed for windsurf, wingsurf, wingfoil, and kitefoil enthusiasts at an intermediate to advanced level. We can, however, cater to beginners who have had basic lessons and are keen for lots of water time to practice new skills.

On no-wind days during a trip, you’ll have the opportunity to surf or paddleboard. Most of our trips are located at or near the best surf breaks.

The best time to visit depends on what you want to do:

• Wind Sports (windsurfing, wingfoiling): Spring (September-November) tends to have the most consistent wind, while Summer (December-February) provides sweet thermal winds along the coastlines and lakes. Autumn (March-May) is generally the most settled period with less wind. Our weather is controlled by frontal systems, so it can be very unpredictable at times!

• Surfing: You can surf all year round. In winter, you can chase southern ocean swells, while in summer you can enjoy gentle east coast breaks.

New Zealand’s climate varies widely. The far north has subtropical summers, while inland alpine areas of the South Island can get as cold as -10°C (14°F) in winter. However, most of the country is close to the coast, meaning mild temperatures year-round. The warmest months are January and February, and the coldest is July.

Water temperatures vary by location and season. On average, they range from 13-20°C (55-68°F). The coldest water is on the south coast of the South Island, dropping to 10-12°C (50-54°F) in winter. The warmest water is on the north coast of the North Island, reaching up to 25°C (77°F) in summer.

Note: South Island lakes like Lake Wakatipu are very popular for watersports, but the water remains cold (around 10-12°C) even in summer due to the depth.

A good quality 4/3 full-length steamer wetsuit will keep you comfortable year-round. If you’re staying in the far north during summer, a 3/2 short wetsuit is perfect. If you’re heading south in winter, you might prefer a 5/3. Carrying a neoprene hood for the South Island is a good idea, just in case.

Booties or reef shoes are a personal choice but can be very helpful, as many coastal rocks are covered in razor-sharp oyster shells.

Most places in New Zealand get over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. Our sun’s UV rays are very strong, especially in summer, due to relatively little air pollution. We highly recommend wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat between 11 am and 4 pm.

Most international weather apps will provide forecasting for New Zealand. Here are some popular ones, including local options:

• Metservice and WeatherWatch are New Zealand’s official weather services.

• Windguru, Windy, and Predictwind are excellent for wind-specific forecasts. We find the paid version of Predictwind to be the most comprehensive.

• The Coastguard NZ app is also great to have, as it provides live meter readings from nearby stations.

No, you do not need a license for windsurfing, wingsurfing, wingfoiling, surfing, SUP, or kitesurfing. However, you must follow local government (Council) bylaws. These can occasionally restrict access or require specific safety equipment, like a PFD (personal flotation device) for vessels under 6 meters.

It depends on your experience and fitness. If you are not familiar with a spot, “if in doubt—stay out.” New Zealand’s coast can be wild and dangerous due to tides, rips, and changeable wind. Try to find local riders—they are usually happy to share their knowledge and have company.

Yes, New Zealand waters are home to several shark species, including great whites, makos, and hammerheads. Shark attacks on humans are rare, but you should always be aware of your surroundings and follow local safety guidelines. If you are sailing on a lake, there will be no sharks.

In an emergency, dial 111 for fire, police, and ambulance services. Calls are free. Be aware that many rural and national park areas do not have reliable cell phone reception. If you’ll be in a remote area, consider hiring a distress beacon.

Treat others on the beach as you would like to be treated. A smile, wave, or nod goes a long way.

• Set up and launch your gear in an area that is well clear of other beach users.

• Slow down when returning to shore so you don’t alarm others.

• Always be courteous to maintain a good image for the sport.

It’s best to avoid busy waterways and shipping lanes. The following rules are for all sailing vessels:

• Keep clear of others and reduce your speed to 5 knots when you are within 200 meters of a public beach or 30 meters of anyone in the water or another craft.

• Vessels over 500 tons in harbor limits have the right of way.

• Overtaking vessels must give way.

• In a head-on situation, both vessels should alter their course to the right (starboard).

• A windward vessel must give way.