Why surfing is the best way to see a country
Playing tourist gets me uninspired. The usuals, the norms, the classic traps of false promises. None of it lights me up.
I think a lot of travellers are craving real adventure and real connection. They want to see what a country is actually like for the people who live there. They want to understand how locals spend their time, how they think, how they move through their days and why their lives look the way they do. These are the wanderers who are open to the conversations that turn into dinners with strangers and sometimes a few nights on someone’s couch. The go with the flow mindset that creates the moments and stories you remember for life. The kind of travel that reflects who you are and rewards people who follow their curiosity.
Surfing brought this type of travel into my life. Exploring coastlines with the locals, days revolved around waves, food and sleep. It puts you on the ground with people who have lived in these areas for generations and who love a good yarn with anyone who shares the same passion. I have travelled across the globe with my surfboards and it has been one of the most connective and meaningful ways I have spent my time, money and energy. It gets me out of bed. It keeps me motivated to explore. It pushes me to meet people. It gives me purpose and a whole lot of fun.
Whether I am travelling solo or with friends, we always end up outside the tourist zones. We cross paths with like-minded surfers, spend time in the culture, deal with locals and of course, surf incredible waves. You catch yourself in these moments thinking about how lucky we really are.
New Zealand’s surf culture connects me to some of my best mates. They live by the sea and build their lives around the lifestyle they love. The coastal towns here are full of micro communities of inspiring people. They share a love for the ocean, for the waves, for the sea life and for the people who come through with the same respect. These places hold so much beauty. The landscapes, the waves, the campsites and the small stores have shaped some of my core memories in New Zealand. Surfing takes me on strike missions for the swell, long road trips with no strict plan and it connects me to the coastline as much as the moments in between each session.
I will say it again. Travelling with surfing at the centre gives me purpose. It connects me to the land and its people. It takes me into places that most travellers never see.
This is how I want poeple to experience this country. This is how I want our stories to unfold. it is one of the best ways to see New Zealand.
Lets do it together
- Nathan Stead