Aotearoa Surf School was established in 2003 in Auckland and relocated to Te Arai in 2007. It is the only fully accredited surf school in the Te Arai/Mangawhai area. It is a family business owned and operated by Wayne and Adrienne Glover. Wayne has over 45 years international surfing, coaching and competition experience.  Being a mobile surf school and not restricted to any one beach means Aotearoa Surf has the flexibility and expertise to respond to the varying rhythm of the waves and tides to ensure your lessons take place in the best and most suitable surf conditions in the area on the day. Aotearoa Surf School is recommended by both Surfing New Zealand and Water Safety New Zealand.

Wayne Glover, Director, Head Coach

Wayne first picked up a surfboard in 1964 and couldn’t get over the feeling of standing on the board and moving with the ocean. Since then he has surfed all kinds of surfboards in all kinds of surf conditions all over the world and competed successfully at a local and national level for many years. Wayne is a Supervisor Coach holding International Surfing Association level 1 and Level 2  Surf Coaching accreditation and is CPR and Emergency First Aid trained. He has had years of experience as a surfer and active surf lifeguard at North Piha on Auckland’s West coast, one of the world’s most challenging beaches, and is currently an active reserve surf lifeguard at Mangawhai Heads.

Philosophy

To me above all else there is nothing as exhilarating and therapeutic as the simple act of riding a wave on a surfboard. Being immersed in nature provides a stimulating escape from everyday life and closer contact with the self. Surfing is about having fun in the ocean and that’s what this company and what we offer is all about: getting the most enjoyment out of the conditions and the environment, safely, and gaining some new skills and experiences along the way.

Getting There

On the way to this special part of the country from Auckland you will pass through stunning rural landscapes and diverse farming country before reaching the coastal forest belt and then ………….

Directions from Auckland (approx 80km – about 70 minutes)

1. Take State Highway 1 North from Auckland City
2. Continue North on SH1 passing through Warkworth, Wellsford and Te Hana
3. 2.5km North of Te Hana turn right onto Mangawhai Rd
4. After 12.5km turn right onto Cemetery Rd

my Map

By Bus from Auckland

NakedBus can get you from Auckland to Wellsford and back 7 days a week for just $35.00 round trip.
We can meet you at the bus stop in Wellsford in our distinctive red Toyota Minibus so you can do a lesson with us and get you back in time for your return bus trip to Auckland for just $20.00 per person.

You need to let us know at least 24hrs in advance though