Raglan Surf School | Learn to Surf

I need to make this very clear. When it comes to watersports and being ever so slightly poor at them, I am all over it. The embarrassment far outweighs any enjoyment and so this is why on arrival in Raglan, New Zealand's top surf spot, I was quite adament that I would sit on the gorgeous beach and relax whilst other backpackers learnt to surf. There was a lot of persuasion involved and to cut the long story of "no, no I won't enjoy it" short, I had a lesson and man did I love it! If Raglan Surf School can get me to learn and enjoy surfing then it can work it's magic on anyone.

Raglan Donnr MB via Flickr

You can't help but get involved in Raglan as to be honest surfing is the main attraction. My biggest concern was learning whilst some pro was next to me highlighting just how bad I was. However, the beach is so big this just never happens. What I love about Raglan Surf School is that, it's a school, you are not meant to be any good and the main event is to have some fun and do something different.

"Two hours in the water have never gone so fast..."

Wetsuit on, board wedged between both my arms (the boards are quite big!) we were explained what the deal is, how to get on to your board and on your feet. My scepticism was still there naturally, easier said than done. Two hours in the water have never gone so fast and emotions have never been so varied, none of them bad I must add. From the first wave you body board along (actually that was most of my waves because it was so fun), to the wave that you get to your knees on the board, until that momentous wave that you feel the board underneath your feet.

There really is a sense of accomplishment as well as adrenaline pumping equal to that of white water rafting or a bungy jump. Even the half hour of constant wave annihilation that I experienced couldn't dampen the comradeship amongst all the beginner surfers in the water. You cheer someone who cruises a good wave and you get a cheer when you beat that damn wave. The best part of the lesson with Raglan Surf School is that the whole point is to showcase how fun surfing can be and that it doesn't have to be serious. Not one person who came out of that water said that they were retiring their surfing career.

For backpackers heading on to Australia after New Zealand, Raglan is the perfect place to find your feet, confidence and enthusiasm before hitting the surf beaches of Australia. Weary, happy and beer ready, Raglan Surf School has left me keen to get out there again, which really is quite a miracle.