top of page

New Zealand's Premier
Surf Education Provider

12,000+

Student's per year

250+ 

Schools  Accommodated

15+ Years

of EOTC Experience

NZ Surf Academy is Aotearoa’s premier surf education provider, operating across Northland, Matakana, Orewa, and Mount Maunganui. Our mission is simple: we want to give every child the chance to experience the sheer joy of surf education through our surf lessons, international and domestic student surf tours, and holiday and after-school programs.

What sets us apart? Our team of highly-skilled instructors, breathtaking locations and pure love of the ocean - we’ve got the surfing bug and are keen to pass it on! 

Orewa Beach

Tarwharanui Regional Park

Tutukaka Coast

Taupo Bay

Matauri Bay

The Mount / Tauranga

90 Mile Beach

Locations We Surf

Being mobile we’re able to be close to your school or school camp reducing the cost for transport. Here are some of the amazing beach locations. Can’t see your beach then please ask!

International Students Surf Tours

We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world -  so why not experience it to the fullest? Our Surf Tours offer an unforgettable six-day adventure along the stunning Far North coastline, where students will not only learn to surf but also see significant progress in their technique, advancing to an intermediate level. But the fun doesn’t stop at surfing; our itinerary is packed with incredible activities like sandboarding at Te Paki dunes and sunset strolls at Cape Reinga, ensuring students create skills, memories, and friendships to last a lifetime!

A group of students with their surf instructor in the water
A primary school student learning to surf at Orewa Beach

Surf Education & Beach Safety for Primary, Intermediate & High Schools

A student surfing a small wave
An international student doing a handstand on a surfboard in the ocean

Extreme Fun for New Zealand International Students

  • Sun, 08 Dec
    Ahipara
    08 Dec 2024, 7:00 am NZDT – 13 Dec 2024, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Ahipara, Ahipara, New Zealand
    08 Dec 2024, 7:00 am NZDT – 13 Dec 2024, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Ahipara, Ahipara, New Zealand
    Dive into the ultimate 6-day surf adventure with NZ Surf Academy! Ride world-class waves, explore breathtaking coastal spots, and hone your surfing skills with expert guidance. Perfect for students and groups, this tour promises unforgettable thrills, team bonding, and memories to last a lifetime.
    Share
  • Sun, 15 Dec
    Ahipara
    15 Dec 2024, 7:00 am NZDT – 20 Dec 2024, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Ahipara, Ahipara, New Zealand
    15 Dec 2024, 7:00 am NZDT – 20 Dec 2024, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Ahipara, Ahipara, New Zealand
    Dive into the ultimate 6-day surf adventure with NZ Surf Academy! Ride world-class waves, explore breathtaking coastal spots, and hone your surfing skills with expert guidance. Perfect for students and groups, this tour promises unforgettable thrills, team bonding, and memories to last a lifetime.
    Share
  • Sun, 19 Jan
    Ahipara
    19 Jan 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 24 Jan 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Ahipara, Ahipara, New Zealand
    19 Jan 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 24 Jan 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Ahipara, Ahipara, New Zealand
    Dive into the ultimate 6-day surf adventure with NZ Surf Academy! Ride world-class waves, explore breathtaking coastal spots, and hone your surfing skills with expert guidance. Perfect for students and groups, this tour promises unforgettable thrills, team bonding, and memories to last a lifetime.
    Share
  • Sun, 26 Jan
    Ahipara
    26 Jan 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 31 Jan 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Ahipara, Ahipara, New Zealand
    26 Jan 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 31 Jan 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Ahipara, Ahipara, New Zealand
    Dive into the ultimate 6-day surf adventure with NZ Surf Academy! Ride world-class waves, explore breathtaking coastal spots, and hone your surfing skills with expert guidance. Perfect for students and groups, this tour promises unforgettable thrills, team bonding, and memories to last a lifetime.
    Share
  • Sat, 15 Feb
    Tāwharanui Peninsula
    15 Feb 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 16 Feb 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Tāwharanui Peninsula, Tāwharanui Peninsula, New Zealand
    15 Feb 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 16 Feb 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Tāwharanui Peninsula, Tāwharanui Peninsula, New Zealand
    Share
  • Sat, 01 Mar
    Tāwharanui Peninsula
    01 Mar 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 02 Mar 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Tāwharanui Peninsula, Tāwharanui Peninsula, New Zealand
    01 Mar 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 02 Mar 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Tāwharanui Peninsula, Tāwharanui Peninsula, New Zealand
    Share
  • Sat, 08 Mar
    Tutukaka
    08 Mar 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 09 Mar 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Tutukaka, Tutukaka 0173, New Zealand
    08 Mar 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 09 Mar 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Tutukaka, Tutukaka 0173, New Zealand
    Share
  • Sat, 15 Mar
    Tāwharanui Peninsula
    15 Mar 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 16 Mar 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Tāwharanui Peninsula, Tāwharanui Peninsula, New Zealand
    15 Mar 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 16 Mar 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Tāwharanui Peninsula, Tāwharanui Peninsula, New Zealand
    Share
  • Sat, 22 Mar
    Tutukaka
    22 Mar 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 23 Mar 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Tutukaka, Tutukaka 0173, New Zealand
    22 Mar 2025, 7:00 am NZDT – 23 Mar 2025, 7:00 pm NZDT
    Tutukaka, Tutukaka 0173, New Zealand
    Share
100% recommend NZ Surf Academy to any school group! Sancta Maria College continues to have incredible experiences learning to surf at Tawharanui Regional Park, thanks to Simon and his team. NZ Surf Academy creates an enjoyable and supportive atmosphere while always ensuring the safety of our kids at all times. The students gained new knowledge and safety protocols before entering the water, and the instructors are incredibly patient, making sure each student felt confident on the board. Our students gained a new appreciation for surfing and created unforgettable memories. We will always return year after year to NZ Surf Academy!

Nick James

Sancta Maria College

NZ Surf Academy run sessions for our annual Year 10 camp at Tawharanui and the students always have an incredible experience. The instructors are skilled and knowledgeable, but also patient, supportive, and fun. They create a safe and engaging environment that makes even the most nervous students feel confident in the water. The instructors tailor the sessions to suit all abilities, from beginners to those with some experience, and everyone leaves feeling accomplished. When it comes to booking and trip organisation, Simon is always a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend NZ Surf Academy for any school looking for a surfing experience for their students.

Georgi Ridler

Pinehurst School

Our students have had the best experiences with NZ Surf. Their organization is always thorough and students feel safe and well cared for. The experiences they have are so amazing that some of my students have done 2-3 trips this year.
It is a great way for students to see fabulous beaches in NZ and explore the Far North.

Jane Phillipson

Selwyn College

I have enjoyed supporting our students attending NZ Surf Academy trips since 2018. Aside from my personal love for surfing, I also love supporting these trips because they provide so many opportunities to make connections with students.
Through the safety and professional instruction provided by NZ Surf Academy our students always feel relaxed and confident on their surf trips allowing for skills to develop, connections to be made and most importantly, 'shakas' all round. We all can't wait for our next trip!

Rob

Bay of Islands College

We have used Simon and his team at NZ Surf Academy several times now for our senior Outdoor Education programme. Simon has always been great to deal with. His communication right from the outset of my initial enquiry was excellent.
His instructors are friendly but firm, adopting just the right style in dealing with teenagers working in an outdoor environment. The sessions were safe, active and fun and the students always got a lot out of our days with them. Their skill levels improved, as did their knowledge of the context and conditions they were working in. I wouldn't hesitate to use Simon and NZ Surf Academy again, and would highly recommend them to any schools looking to incorporate surfing into their HPE/OED programme

Neil Penfold

Selwyn College

Simon and his crew of instructors have done a wonderful job of educating our students in surfing. It’s amazing to be able to turn up with a class of keen students and be fitted in wetsuits and be taught how to surf. From the basics on the beach to progressing through to catching a wave out on the water.
The thrill and enjoyment on students and staff faces is priceless.
I would highly recommend NZ Surf Academy to any school or family.

Jonnie Peter

Cambridge High School

I was initially hesitant that this activity was going to be suitable for our special needs students, however the organisation, supervision, instruction and friendliness of the instructors resulted in our students really looking forward to the sessions and making amazing progress over the course. They were even teaching me!!!!

Andrew Shiers

Mount Richmond Specialist School

The surf sessions have been great!
The instructors have been exceptional with the group and many of our students have improved heaps with their coaching. All 4 of them were engaging and our kids have just had an amazing time learning how to surf, many of which were their first time on a board.

Andrew Scaife

Mount Albert Grammar

We have been using NZ Surf Academy for many years, as part of our EOTC Week - running half-day sessions with each class. They have always been flexible when we have changed the structure of how we run our program. Their instructors find a good balance between working with absolute beginners and more experienced surfers. They do this in a range of weather and surf conditions. This is always one of the highlights of EOTC Week for our students

Karl Buckley

Orewa College

Our students loved it and many have recorded it as one of their best memories of the year. The activities were well-organised and covered a variety of skills, including safety. Instructors were clear and very compassionate. Our students recall it as a fun day where they went beyond their comfort zone and learnt new skills. I would thoroughly recommend this and we will be returning.

Heather Nicholson

Verran Primary School

Simon and his surf team always provide amazing surf experiences for our students. The surf instructors are friendly, competent and super flexible with driving to our varying coastal camp locations. Our students often rate their surf activity experience as their favourite activity.

Naomi Rangi

Kristin School

Our Year 5 students had a session with NZ Surf Academy in Orewa at the end of March. The session the kids had with the instructors were well organised and explained before entering into the water. We would highly recommend this activity. It was safe, and so much fun! The kids and parents had a really great time!

Rachel MacLver

Browns Bay School