Whangamata Surf School

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⚠️ Important reminder coming into peak summer: rips are dangerous, even for confident swimmers.

Last week, our guards responded to a life-threatening incident between Access 7 and 8.
Danielle Travers and Daniel Lewis were servicing engines at the club, while Moritz Padrutt and Max Riordan were getting ready for training when they were alerted by police to the incident unfolding.
A man in his 40s had been caught in the strong permanent rip at Access 8 while trying to keep his young son above the water. A local surfer was thankfully able to reach them and bring the patient to the beach. .
When our guards arrived, the patient was in a life-threatening condition, barely responsive, struggling to breathe, waves washing over him, drifting in and out of consciousness. The team immediately began first aid, protecting his airway, providing oxygen, warming him, completing a full assessment, and preparing him for rapid transport. He went unconscious multiple times during the response, and our guards worked continuously to keep his airway open and maintain vital signs.
They coordinated with Police, Ambulance, and the rescue helicopter crew before transferring the patient to the helicopter for urgent medical care.

👏 A huge acknowledgement to Danielle T, Danielle E, Daniel, Moritz, Max, Andrew for their professionalism, calm thinking, and teamwork in an incredibly intense situation. Their actions helped save this man's life.
💛 A big thank you also to the local surfer for bringing this man to shore.

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Open for the season! Get your Lessons & board hire - bookings essential 🙂
Gift vouchers available

Knowing how to spot and manage rip currents can turn a hazard into a helpful tool. Rip currents are fast, narrow flows of water moving directly away from the beach. They form when incoming waves push water toward the shore, and that water finds a path back out through channels, often shaped by longshore currents. Here’s how to spot and safely manage a rip current: Look for the Signs
Gaps in breaking waves, darker or calmer water, or foam and debris moving steadily out to sea. Understand the Structure
Rip currents form a neck, where the water moves quickly away from the shore, and a head, where the current slows and disperses into deeper water. Know What to Do
If you’re caught in one, stay calm. Don’t fight it. Float or tread water, move parallel to the beach to exit the current, and signal for help early, before you feel tired. Rip currents can be dangerous, but they’re also part of the ocean’s natural movement. The more you understand them, the better prepared you’ll be. #oceansafety #ripcurrent #surftechnique #surftips #surfcoach #surfprogression #surftutorial #learntosurf #surfcoaching #howtosurf #surfing #surftrip #longboard #surfvacation #surfresort

Pop up like a pro!

Gabriel Medina’s pop-up technique @gabrielmedina 🏄‍♂️ Heavy chin-down approach, a sign of hard work for the wave. The magic happens when he feels the glide—full arm extension, creating that crucial height for a smooth leg slide. The lower abdominal and hip flexor strength on display are a testament to the precise control needed for a flawless pop-up. A push-off from the knees initiates the sequence, landing the back leg with finesse, paving the way for the front leg to sweep through just behind the hands. A poised runner-in-the-blocks position that grants him the clarity to read and navigate the wave effortlessly. If you want to work on your pop up, I would suggest spending some time analyzing the pros as well as footage of your own pop up. You can also grab our Perfect Pop Up Program, available in the Surf Athlete app - the program built so you never fail another pop up again. You can ask for the program link in the comments, just write “program”. #SurfingAnalysis #GabrielMedina #PopUpAnalysis #SurfTechnique #SurfingSkills #surffitness #surftraining #surfcoaching

Due to the Easter washout we are closed a week early .
Thanks to all who supported us this summer - open again after a couple of months chasing waves ourselves.
Happy Easter !

Open for hire & lessons as usual this weekend:) pre book to reserve your time