· By Maria Nilsson
South Island NZ
It's not often you pull up to an empty right hand point break, let alone adventuring NZ freely with your besties together in a couple of camper vans. Although when i think about it, that's what i dreamt of NZ being like.
On this misty day, we curiously hopped out of our vans and huddled together, as we watched the secluded cappuccino like water lines roll in from the cold front that came through the day before.
As we observed the pure ma ocean foreign perfection in the freezing land temperature of 4 degrees, with the fresh snow covered mountains behind us, our combined somewhat nutty, mad and unique energy screeched and peaked ecstatically together.
We layered Atmosea. Clareo and Maddie slipped on their booties. Maria pulled out her fresh booties she just bought in town at the local surf store. Quick to realise that she had purchased two left feet.. "NO!" she yelped. I was secretly relieved that she would share my freezing cold, frost bite toe pain as we walked down across the train tracks, over the grey rocks and icy black sand to the sea.
All smiles from ear to ear, as we paddled out together and shared wave for wave. Ma ocean keeping us safe and wild, I chanted over and over in awe "WE ARE ALIVE & so FREE!!!".
NZ has my heart and I know this day is etched in all of our hearts forever.
Words by Cass Hurrell
Photos above by Dave Thew
Photos above by Peter Pascoe