UP Surf Coaching, 3 and 5 Day Beginner Surf Course

Raglan Boat Charters is located at the Raglan Wharf on Whaingaroa Harbour, the West Coast of New Zealand's North Island, 40 kms from Hamilton and approx 150kms from Auckland, Tauranga and Rotorua. About our Cruises: Departing Raglan Wharf aboard the Wahinemoe to explore the charm of Whaingaroa Harbour – cruise past large conservation reserves, farmland and fishing villages. You will see marine wildlife and ancient limestone rock formations, and listen to fascinating tales about the history and culture of this very special area. Your friendly skipper and crew will take great care of you and make sure you have a magical experience. The sunset cruise is the best and its extremely rare on the west coast to find such an excellent viewpoint.

As you descend, you’ll climb and abseil the cascading waterfalls all whilst under the light of your head torch, and the luminescent shine of the glow worms! Feel safe in the company of an experienced guide, as they lead you on a great adventure. Throughout the trip hear the stories, history, and knowledge of the landscape and local area from your passionate guide. As darkness falls, you’ll begin to see the luminescent transformation take place. Witness new worlds of light being created by the native New Zealand glowworms who call this place home. Take a minute to stop for a moment of peace and tranquillity, with a hot cup of freshly made Kawakawa tea. All equipment, photos and instruction is provided.

UP Surf Coaching is all about providing high quality surf coaching for those that want more than a one off experience. Our aim is for you to actually feel like a surfer at the end of one of our surf courses – ready to surf on your own with confidence. On the 'Become a Surfer' course you will be equipped with all the skills and knowledge you need. Group sizes are always 6 or less people - you get a lot of personal attention and have space to move around without a huge crowd all around you. The course progresses in stages from mastering the basics in the whitewater, using your rails and starting to focus on surfing across small waves, then getting you out the back to catch bigger unbroken waves. You'll be surprised how fast you progress.

Inspired by the European Aufguss, we run guided sauna and ice bath sessions. In groups of up to 12, participants have chance to cool off in a cold shower and ice bath before entering the sauna for the first round. The facilitator will then explain the outline of the session. Then, with peaceful music playing, the first 15 minute round begins, with water mixed with essential oils being added to the rocks, creating scented waves of heat that wash over you, as the facilitator waves around a towel. Between the sauna rounds, there is 5-7 minutes where participants are welcome to rinse off in the shower before going into the ice bath. See our schedule to book into one of our sessions or hire the sauna and ice bath.

We offer scenic day tours to the local attractions, with the bonus of exploring some secluded spots and/or beautiful waterfalls while experiencing authentic Māori culture with our local guides. Our tours include snacks and refreshments for the budget wise traveler, allowing more time to visit some remote destinations and enjoy the beauty that New Zealand has to offer. Our guides are experienced to understand your needs and can take you to additional destinations while on tour to give you memories to last a lifetime. We can tailor each itinerary to meet specific individual needs.

Challenge yourself to scramble, rock climb and abseil the cascading waterfalls all whilst experiencing the magic the canyon has to offer. The ancient lava flow is surrounded by native bush and natural beauty. Following your experienced and passionate guide, you will navigate your way through many obstacles, including waterfalls, pools and boulders, ensuring that your adrenaline levels are high. All of the guides are qualified, friendly, professional and highly experienced, guaranteeing you will always feel safe and comfortable. Throughout the trip, the guide will explain to you facts about the flora, fauna and history of the area. All equipment, photos and instruction is provided with free pick up and drop off available from Raglan.