Best at low tide as high tide makes the wave quite fat. Can really turn on the goods when a big south swell hits and a NW wind is blowing off the beach.
Overview
Atmosphere
Fun left and right hand beach break, very close to town and can get very good especially in winter when most of the south swells hit Gisborne.
Low tide can serve up some nice barrells and crowd is usually not too bad. Like most of New Zealand locals are generally friendly if you share the waves around and wait your turn.
Pipe is popular with everyone and is often a venue for local and national contests.
gissy pipe
be aware of the pipe locals (tsol)respect them and they will respect you.
comment by A crowd coming your way ..., 2004-12-23 13:08:24
Shot
Lo folks, Thanks to the dude for putting up this lovely info ... coming to steal some of your waves soon ! :)Anyways see you guys in the water.
comment by Poo Pipe, 2003-06-11 23:14:33
Gisborne not Gisbourne
Don´t wanna be padantic but I see on all the maps on thias site that Gisborne has been mispelt. Aside from this, Gissy pipe is an extremely consistent wave and generally always has a good right and left hander in any swell from the south. The town beaches are a lot safer and a good place to learn to surf. Most of Gissy´s best had there first years in the water there. When the ´Pipe´ is on however, unless you know what you are doing I would advise you stick to the other end of the beach closer to town away from the crowds. On a good day here out of towners will have trouble getting waves from the t.s.o.l crew and Rod & the Rod Squad.
comment by anonymous, 2005-06-30 09:32:09