Surfing and snorkelling at Gisborne’s Coastal Gem

Department of Conservation —  05/03/2015

Paige Hareb, the only Kiwi on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour, brought her smile and skills to Gisborne as a part of the DOC/Air New Zealand Dive Into Adventure competition recently.

Surfing lesson with professional surfer Paige Hareb.

Surfing lesson with professional surfer Paige Hareb

Four lucky competition winners took tips from Paige during a three-hour surfing lesson at The Pipe, before exploring the coastline of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve on foot—meeting the stingrays, snorkelling amongst the crayfish, and meeting the local Department of Conservation rangers.

Crayfish at Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve. Photo: Jamie Quirk.

Crayfish at Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve

Gisborne is popular with surfers. The “Gizzy Pipe”, as it is known by the locals, is the best surf spot within the Gisborne region. The area attracts water lovers with its warmer waters, and the waves regularly rate highly on the MetService surf reports.

Paige Hareb surfing the "Gizzy Pipe".

Paige Hareb surfing the “Gizzy Pipe”

Paige and the Air New Zealand competition winners Will Tate, Sheyde Bolton, Sean Heptinstall and Johannes Laan starred in this terrific video highlighting the sights and activities surrounding this Gisborne Coastal Gem:


Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve lies north of Gisborne and can be reached via State Highway 35, with public access at Pouawa.

Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve.

Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve

One response to Surfing and snorkelling at Gisborne’s Coastal Gem

  1. 

    What a great opportunity for those in the area to have Paige’s tuition.