Head towards Waihi beach (8km east of Waihi). Turn right at the roundabout as you come into Waihi beach (it's signposted as "Bowentown"). Drive straight all the way for about 7km and you'll get to a camping ground by the headland. Drive down the camping ground access. You can park your car here and walk over to the beach. If the bar's working you'll see it breaking to your right quite far out. Paddle out!
Don't surf it on an outgoing tide, or you may find yourself half-way out to sea. Because it's close to a large estuary there are a lot of rips.
Overview
Atmosphere
I haven't actually surfed it yet, but I've checked it out and seen it breaking about 200 metres offshore. It was peeling right for quite a way and looked fairly fast and gnarly. The paddle out looks like quite a mission, 'cause you have to paddle out through the beach break first. Unless of course you can find a channel.
General
The time I checked it out, the wind was a little sideways. I think with a decent clean swell and the right wind, this place would really be going off.
Gnarly
Surfed out there!! Gnarly!!! Sharks! strong current!!! Heavey shallow waves!!! Gaurded by the locals which aren't to be messed with!! Dont go if you value your life thats all i can say!!
comment by anonymous, 2006-02-18 20:38:46