Bardsley's Go Surfing

Our first surf day out as a family on Smails Beach, NZ

Well what can I say, John shocked me last weekend by purchasing surf gear. We had talked about it before the move to NZ. "Wouldn't it be cool to learn how to surf?" But, honestly, I didn't think it would happen. I should know better. 

There are many beaches minutes from our home in Dunedin. All gorgeous with white sand and green/blue water. It almost seems unreal being at them because they are so beautiful and powerful. The strength of the ocean is truly humbling. The water is freezing cold! We all are in awe of it and have little butterflies being in it. John and I decided to always be out with the kids and chose one to be in charge of. This may seem fearful, but rip-tides are real even with experienced life guards and shark alarms. I really feel out of my element. John is more confident of course. His dad was a swim champion and coached for years at Butte High school. John also kayaked for years in class 4 rapids in Montana and Idaho before we had kids. The "kitchen sink rapid" on the Madison and other multi-day stretches in his back pocket of extreme experiences. I kayaked too, and did nearly all the good whitewater rivers in Montana, but I just liked to play and didn't really get my role down well. 
Swimming awareness was important to John. In fact, when we first hooked up as a couple, (1993) he wanted to know my swimming ability and accessed my strokes with tips and advice. So, as a result the kids are good swimmers and used to moving water with our land on the Dearborn river. Still, I am pushing my "mama-bear" button to heightened awareness.

Heading down to Smails Beach

Smails beach (just the week before John and Mountain biked above the beach up over the Peninsula)

One of the best features is that the beaches of Dunedin are not so crowded! The beaches of Tomahawk and Smails have very great waves and surfers will love it here. There is a gorgeous little island that separates these two beaches.We just surfed on the Smails side because the waves are longer and rolling into the beach. If fact, you can stand and just catch a wave without having to paddle out past the break point. 

Smails Island ( http://www.flickriver.com/photos/mundoview/tags/newzealand/)

We find out that we are lucky to get the southerly winds off the Antarctic iceshelf. Brrrr. 
However, it drives the huge swells that sweep in from the Southern Ocean.

Fortuitously, these gnarly monsters wrap around rugged headlands and roll into some Otago Peninsula bays as perfectly formed tunnel waves. (People wait in line for these in Hawaii) We have a choice of over 40 breaks within a one hour drive of the city. 
For those who brave the sharp winds and chilly waters, this coast can deliver the best surfing in the South Island. You just need to be outfitted in a complete neoprene wardrobe to survive. Our new wet suits are amazing! They keep you perfectly warm is freezing water. I wonder if we shouldn't sell them when we go back to home, but use them in the fall and spring to swim in the rivers around Montana....hmmmmm. 
The other bonus is that we look like a family of super-heroes. This is a good metal boost.

To cute Ellie in her new Roxy wet suit

Cold and windy - this photo was taken with our "water proof camera" - so it was wet

 Alex heads out with our Dart surf board. Since he my equal height and weight, we are sharing the board. Ellie and I had a so much fun body-boarding. 

While we were coming in on a great long wave, we noticed to our left a Sea Lion swimming in as well. He landed on the beach and bounced his fat body up into the Dunes for sleep.

smails beach and island

New past time for the boys....waxing there surf boards.