A swarm of tropical cyclones swirled through the Pacific in the first half of February. As they dissipated they tracked south east and got trapped off the East Coast by a blocking high over New Zealand. That scenario created the perfect long range and sustained swell engine for the East Coast.
On the Coromandel Coast, surf photographer Daniel Davie managed to connect up with WQS campaigner Billy Stairmand to bring us a few shots between waves.
“It was definitely a memorable swell that just kept on giving,” Daniel shares. “Just about everyone I spoke to had an epic session, from way up north and down south. It just seemed like every spot was firing. And I guess throwing in blue sky, warm water and a steady, but not too strong offshore added to the delight.”
“Just about everyone I spoke to had an epic session, from way up north and down south. It just seemed like every spot was firing.”
Daniel admitted that quite often torrential rain often accompanied these type of swell events.
“Whanga beach on the Tuesday evening was possibly the best I’ve surfed it,” he offers. “The beach is better known for its ski-slope fatness and annoying gutters, but there were some legit nuggets coming through. There were 10 guys spread out across the beach and all chuckling at the 40-50 shoulder hoppers on the Bar.”
“Yeah, it was definitely a gem of a swell. Hopefully the East Coast gets a few more of those this season.”
