It's no secret that Down Under has great waves and a great surf culture. To get in on another part of the south-of-the-equator action, head to the west side of New Zealand's North Island and the town of Raglan. The laid-back town was featured in The Endless Summer, and it offers plenty of hiking, kayaking and bars full of shredders boasting about tackling huge breaks.
For the best Hang 10 experience here, sign up for the Raglan Surfing School. For you green thumbs (toes?) out there, beginner lessons start at $60 US and include board rental, transportation and a post-surf sauna (!). The Surf Adventure packages will get you into North Shore territory: you'll be thinking surfing 24/7 while crashing at the Karioi Lodge with your fellow waveriders. (There's a definite hippie vibe at the lodge, but don't sweat it, bro, it's part of the fun.) A five-day surf-and-stay package will set you back only $206 US. Did we mention it's almost summer in the Southern Hemisphere right now?
[Photo: Magalie L'Abbé]
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