Westport: A Place of Surf

Westport has emerged as one of the most popular surfing spots in the South Island. Christchurch and Nelson surfers have it placed firmly on their touring lists and seldom are they disappointed after a visit there.

Consistency of swell is Westport's main asset (surfingwise) and if one spot is not working there is sure to be another that is. There are about eight spots in nine miles and it would be an unlucky surfer who could not find a wave at one of them.

Westport is also the scene for the annual North Wai (a Christchurch club) open contest. This year it was won by Steve King of Christchurch.

One of Westport's top surfers, Kim Wright, turns and prepares to climb out of the white water on a Shingle Beach wave. This spot is between the breakwaters at the mouth of the Buller River and works best in a northerly swell

Rusty Roberts of Westport is an aggressive surfer and his attitude can be judged by the way he crashes through the breaking curl of this crunching shorebreak at Nine Mile Beach, south of the town

Warren Hawkes of Christchurch turns under the smooth curl of a Shingle Beach wave during the recent North Wai contest. All the photos on this page were taken by Nelson surfer Ross Holl Yman under difficult weather conditions - it rained on and off

An unidentified surfer powers on his backhand under a threatening curl. (Surfing backhand is with one's back to the wave)

The winner with his trophy: Steve King

Steve King, Christchurch, crouches and drives across a fast breaking wave. King displayed a smooth style to win the contest

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The Nelson Photo News

No 129 : July 24, 1971

Westport: A Place of Surf