2025 New Zealand, South Island Surf Camp!

Personalised surf coaching, wildlife adventures, fishing and uncrowded waves are on the horizon for those who seek to find.

Our Surf Camp will take us to Kaikoura, a picturesque town on the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Known for its remote location 2 hours drive north of Christchurch, Kaikoura’s surf is backdropped by snow capped mountains and scenery that blows your mind from the moment you drive into town. Kaikoura is famous for its wildlife including whales, dolphins, and seal colonies as well as being a great location to surf, fish and dive!

Inclusive:

Greeted at Christchurch Airport by GCSE Team

5 Nights Accommodation in Kaikoura

3 Meals Daily + Cold / Hot Drinks

ALL Surf Coaching Sessions

Video Analysis of ALL Sessions

Photography & Drone Footage

Transport Costs in New Zealand

Gift Pack / Welcome Pack

Optional Extras:

Seal Kayak Kaikoura Tour (optional)

Fishing Kaikoura Expedition (optional)

Not Included:

Travel Insurances (Compulsory)

International & Domestic Flights (Board Fees)

Visa Costs

Alcoholic Beverages

Local Attractions Not Mentioned

Suitable for:

Our New Zealand Surf Camp is best suited to surfers aged 18yrs+ with advanced beginner to advanced level skill. Meaning, as a minimum requirement surfers are independent at catching waves and riding along the face of unbroken green waves.

Surf Coaching:

During surf sessions there will be a surf coach with extensive knowledge of the area to ensure that you are positioned in the best spots to select and ride the best waves for your ability!

We will be utilizing several video analysis methods to break down technique after each surf session when back on land, in preparation for the next day of coaching.

It is helpful that you have had coaching with us, but not compulsory.

The Accommodation:

The accommodation is a shared house, within walking range to local shops,

bars and restaurants. The waves are a short drive away. The house consists of

3 private bedrooms (queen size bed) and 2 shared rooms (twin share).

The rooms are sold on a first in - first served basis.

Please note the private rooms come at an extra cost.

There are 3 shared bathrooms, wifi, television with Netflix and Disney+, outdoor area, bbq and 3 daily meals provided.

Picture below of room is private room ( twin share rooms are the same but with two single beds)

The Waves:

Kaikoura has multiple waves that suit a range of abilities. These waves range from long point points, peaky beach breaks and everything in-between.

Note that Kaikoura is in New Zealand’s South Island, the area is known to have colder water temperatures than the rest of NZ. It is recommended that you have a 4/3 wetsuit and booties are helpful if you feel the cold easily or for extra grip and easy access at rocky surf breaks.

Each morning and evening coaches will discuss the best options for the next day. After an early morning swell, wind, and tide check the call will be made for the group to best suit each surfer's ability. Typically, you can surf one or two spots in the morning and one or even two spots in the afternoon. We know that everyone has different surfing levels but the beauty of Kaikoura is that there are plenty of different wave options to match or push your ability. As mentioned previously, there are waves for all levels of surf skill.

Pre-Requisite:

Able to paddle into your own waves and trim along the face of green faced waves. This is classed as an advanced beginner.

If you wish for more information or an assessment of your skill prior, please contact us via email. We recommend taking a private session with us or sending through video footage of yourself surfing prior to booking.

If you would like us to review and analyse footage of you surfing, we are happy to do so FREE of charge.

Seal Kayak Kaikoura Tour (optional extra)

Fancy getting up close and personal with the local wildlife? We are super stoked to team up with Levi and his team at Seal Kayak Kaikoura who will take us out on the water to visit local seal colonies, get up close and personal with seals, dolphins, local marine and bird life and if we are lucky, whales.

Seal Kayak Kaikoura is New Zealand’s only pedal kayak business, meaning you don’t have to row or paddle with  your arms! Simply pedal along and take the time to view the wildlife and take some selfies with the seals!

This is an optional attraction on the trip, it will take place on an evening ( sunset ) so you can watch the sun disappear behind the mountains whilst out on the water, after a day of surfing!

Please confirm if you would like to take a spot on the tour and we will send through the costs.

Cost $139 p/person AUD

Fishing Kaikoura Tour (optional extra)

There are multiple fishing expeditions that can be arranged in Kaikoura.

We recommend Kaikoura Fishing Adventures

https://www.kaikourafishingadventures.co.nz/

These fishing charters can take place on any of the days during the camp (weather and conditions on the sea dependant). If you are interested in taking a spot on the fishing charter please let us know prior to the camp. Attending a fishing charter may mean that you miss a surf session (or two if you go for the half day or full day fishing tour) but are likely to have an amazing experience and have your own fish to fry up for dinner fresh from the source!

Costs starting from $199 AUD p/person

Packing Essentials:

Surfboards, Legropes, Fins, First Aid Equipment for Personal Use, 4/3 or a good sealed 3/2 Wetsuit, Booties (if you feel the cold or for the rocks), Cash NZD.

Comprehensive Travel Insurance (must-have).

Visa if needed - easy to obtain for a short stay.

Note: We recommend bringing 2 surfboards.

Local Attitude / Culture:

The locals in Kaikoura are known to be friendly, accommodating and accepting of visitors to their township. The local community has thrived off tourism over the past 30 years and especially from foreign surfers passing through town.

However, we must remain respectful of the locals in the water at ALL times. Many of them have lived and breathed the surf scene here since the day they were born. We are lucky enough to have connections with local tourism attractions including Seal Kayak Kaikoura, Kiwi Surf Experience and Fishing ….

New Zealand is proud of its Maori native culture and you will see many local Maraes (gathering places) and a significant Maori influence in the streets, shops and local attractions. Please remain respectful of this.

Kaikoura has been in a rebuild of its beautiful town since the devastating 2016 earthquake, please be considerate of this when visiting as for many it's still a raw and fresh memory.

Getting There:

Fly to Christchurch International / Domestic Airport. Our team will greet you there.

For those who choose to fly in on 1st December 2025 or prior, we will pick you up from your chosen accommodation. This is recommended as to get on the road earlier on the 2nd Dec means more surf time that day!

Return trip

Please note, we DO NOT include a night of accommodation on the return trip. It is best to have an evening international or domestic flight out or book accommodation in advance. We can drop you to your chosen accommodation in Christchurch on December 7th 2025.

Please note, there is often a surfboard fee when travelling with airlines. We DO NOT cover this cost. Nor do we cover any airfare expenses. We recommend checking with the airline prior to flying to New Zealand.

We can help to give information for best flight paths from Australia (Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane), or within New Zealand.

Recommended Airlines to fly to Christchurch - Air NZ, Qantas, Jetstar.

Pricing: AUD $2,390 Twin Share •  $2,690 Private Room

Deposit: $990 AUD (Refer to T&Cs)

Info Pack