Everything is taken care of from the moment they arrive to the moment they get home.4 nights accommodation in eco pods or glamping teepees at Te AraiSurf lessons twice a day across multiple Northland beachesAll surf equipment, boards, wetsuits and rash vests providedThree meals a day plus snacks, all dietary requirements catered forReturn transport from Auckland including airport, Remuera, Albany and WarkworthEvening activities, campfire, waterslide, movie nights and moreYoga and fitness sessionsVideo analysis coaching sessions, surf & tide forecasting ISA qualified, experienced surf instructors throughout

Sleeping bag or duvet Pillow 4 changes of clothes Swimwear and towel Warm jumper and pants for evenings Hat and reusable water bottle Head torch Toiletries and any personal medication (handed to camp staff on arrival) All surf equipment is provided. Campers are welcome to bring their own board or wetsuit if they have one.

Safety is managed at every level throughout the camp. ISA qualified surf instructors & camp managersFirst aid certified and surf lifesaving awardedAll staff police vettedMaximum 1:6 instructor-to surfer ratioFully supervised 24/7 by instructors and camp managersSurfing only at appropriate beaches suited to the group’s levelAll participants grouped by age and ability The camp is run in partnership with Aotearoa Surf, who have been operating surf camps and programs since 2002. Their experience with youth groups, including international students and first time surfers, means every camper is genuinely well looked after.

Youth Surf Camp for High School Students - Christchurch Surf Lessons

High School Students

YOUTH SURF CAMP

Experience Northland. Surfing twice a day, real coaching, and five days your teenager will actually remember.

4 night / 5 days

Ages 13-18

$1050

Quick DETAILS

Times: Jul, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Apr | 4 nights, 5 days
Location: Te Arai & Mangawhai, hosted by Aotearoa Surf
Price: $1050 per person | All inclusive
Ages: 13-18 | High school students only
Included: Accommodation, all meals, transport, full supervision, surf lessons and equipment

4 Night Youth Surf Camp

A dedicated surf focused overnight camp for high school students aged 13-18
Run in partnership with Aotearoa Surf at their Te Arai base on the Northland coast
Surfing twice a day across multiple beaches with qualified coaches
All levels welcome – from first timers to improving surfers
Fully inclusive – accommodation, transport, meals and all equipment provided
Open to NZ students and international students studying in New Zealand

UPCOMING CAMPS

Sun 5 – Thu 9 July 2026
Sun 27 Sep – Thu 1 Oct 2026
Sun 22 – Thu 26 November 2026
Sun 6 – Thu 10 December 2026
Sun 13 – Thu 17 December 2026
Sun 17 – Thu 21 January 2027
Sun 11 – Thu 15 April 2027

YOUTH SURF CAMP $1050

Youth surf camp chirstchurch surf lessons sumner auckland new zealand

Whats included

Everything is taken care of from the moment they arrive to the moment they get home.

4 nights accommodation in eco pods or glamping teepees at Te Arai
Surf lessons twice a day across multiple Northland beaches
All surf equipment, boards, wetsuits and rash vests provided
Three meals a day plus snacks, all dietary requirements catered for
Return transport from Auckland including airport, Remuera, Albany and Warkworth
Evening activities, campfire, waterslide, movie nights and more
Yoga and fitness sessions
Video analysis coaching sessions, surf & tide forecasting
ISA qualified, experienced surf instructors throughout

What to expect

Five days with surfing at the centre of everything. Campers wake up, surf, eat, rest, surf again and spend their evenings connecting with their crew around a campfire or taking turns on the waterslide.

Each day is structured around two surf sessions at some of Northland’s best breaks including Te Arai, Forestry, Mangawhai and Langs Beach. Everyone is grouped by ability so the coaching is always pitched at the right level. First timers learn to read the ocean and catch real waves. Surfers with experience push into green waves and start working seriously on turns and technique.

The video analysis sessions are something most young surfers never get access to. Coaches film campers in the water and review the footage together, identifying exactly what to work on next. It’s specific, honest and effective in a way that general coaching in the water simply can’t match.

Evenings are just as important as the days. Good food, good company, and the kind of nights away from home that teenagers actually talk about when they get back.

Getting there from Canterbury

Canterbury students fly from Christchurch to Auckland and are picked up by the camp transport team at Auckland Domestic Airport. From there everything is taken care of all the way to Mangawhai and back again at the end of the week.

Auckland pickup times:

11.45am – Auckland Domestic Airport
12.30pm – Shore Rd Reserve, Remuera
1.30pm – Albany Bus Station
2.00pm – Warkworth Bus Station
3.00pm – Arrive at camp

Return drop-off times:

10.30am – Depart camp
11.00am – Albany Bus Station
11.45am – Auckland Airport
12.30pm – Shore Rd Reserve, Remuera

When booking flights, allow plenty of time on both ends. If you’re not sure what flights to book or have questions about the travel logistics, call us on 03 366 4757 or get in touch via our contact page and we’ll help you plan it out before you confirm anything.

Accommodation & facilities

The camp is based at the Aotearoa Surf Eco accommodation at Te Arai, right on the Northland coast.

Eco pods and glamping teepees sleeping small groups
Campers grouped by gender and similar ages, friends can request to room together
Indoor and outdoor kitchen and dining areas
Modern showers and toilets
Yoga deck and training equipment
Campfire area
Waterslide
Panoramic ocean views

Surrounded by farmland and a short distance to local beaches, it feels completely removed from everyday life. That’s exactly the point.

What to bring

Sleeping bag or duvet
Pillow
4 changes of clothes
Swimwear and towel
Warm jumper and pants for evenings
Hat and reusable water bottle
Head torch
Toiletries and any personal medication (handed to camp staff on arrival)

All surf equipment is provided. Campers are welcome to bring their own board or wetsuit if they have one.

Safety

Safety is managed at every level throughout the camp.

ISA qualified surf instructors & camp managers
First aid certified and surf lifesaving awarded
All staff police vetted
Maximum 1:6 instructor-to surfer ratio
Fully supervised 24/7 by instructors and camp managers
Surfing only at appropriate beaches suited to the group’s level
All participants grouped by age and ability

The camp is run in partnership with Aotearoa Surf, who have been operating surf camps and programs since 2002. Their experience with youth groups, including international students and first time surfers, means every camper is genuinely well looked after.

FAQs

Does my teenager need surfing experience to join?

Not at all. A good number of campers arrive having never surfed before and leave as genuine converts. If your son or daughter has been through one of our programs at Sumner that’s a great head start, but it’s not a requirement. Beginners and experienced surfers are grouped separately from day one so everyone is working at the right level.

Is this suitable for international students?

Yes, and it’s genuinely popular with international students studying in Canterbury. All coaching and instruction is in English and the environment is welcoming to everyone regardless of background or nationality. Some of our instructors also speak Spanish, German, Dutch, French and Mandarin. Full RAMS documentation and certifications are available for any school or international student department on request.

We’re flying from Christchurch. What do we need to know?

Students fly into Auckland Domestic Airport where the camp transport team will be waiting. All students flying from Canterbury are picked up at the airport as part of the standard transport included in the price. If you want to talk through flights, timing or any other logistics before booking, call us on 03 366 4757 or reach out via our contact page. We’d rather answer your questions before you book than have you figure it out alone.

Can friends request to be in the same accommodation?

Yes. Sleeping quarters are arranged by gender and similar ages, and friends can request to bunk together at the time of booking.

What about dietary requirements?

All meals are provided and the kitchen can cater for vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free and other requirements. Let us know at booking.

Who runs the camp?

The camp is run by Aotearoa Surf, one of New Zealand’s most established surf schools, operating since 2002. Orewa Surf Lessons works in partnership with Aotearoa Surf to offer this camp to our community.

What about dietary requirements?

All meals are provided and the kitchen caters for vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free and other requirements. Note everything at the time of booking and it’s taken care of.

What if the camp I want is full?

Is a payment plan available?

Yes. A 50% deposit secures the spot with the balance due before camp begins. If you need a different arrangement get in touch and we’ll work something out.

Who actually runs the camp?

The camp is run by Aotearoa Surf, one of New Zealand’s most experienced surf schools with over 20 years of running youth camps. Christchurch Surf Lessons works in partnership with Aotearoa Surf to make this available to Canterbury students, and our team handles all Canterbury bookings, travel coordination and any questions from this end. Aotearoa Surf is the parent company of Christchurch Surf Lessons

what parents & campers say

Memories for a lifetime

Our son came home from camp a different kid. More confident, more capable in the water, and buzzing from start to finish. He made friends from all over the place and has already asked to go back. Easily the best thing we booked for him this year.

★★★★★

Karen W
Auckland

I was nervous about sending my 14-year-old away for five days but the team made the whole process really easy. Regular communication beforehand, clear logistics, and she came home safe and absolutely stoked. The video analysis coaching was apparently her favourite part.

★★★★★

Ngaire T
Auckland

My son had never surfed before. He came back riding waves, talking about different breaks, and asking when he could get his own board. Five days completely offline and he came back more alive than I've seen him in months.

★★★★★

David P
Matakana

These guys are flawless. Pickup, drop off, meals, accommodation, everything was handled and the communication with parents was great throughout. Our daughter was in a group of kids from all different backgrounds and loved every minute. The campfire nights and waterslide got as many mentions as the surfing itself.

★★★★★

Jane H
Remuera

I am from Germany so I know nothing about surfing, so this was amazing. The beaches at Te Arai are beautiful and the lessons were very good. The food was great and I made friends from six different countries in five days. If you are an international student in New Zealand you have to do this camp.

★★★★★

Yulia G
International Student, Christchurch