[leslie]

is raglan still considered 'down market'? has anyone else been there and what did they think...

[Michelle and Richard]

NOT BEEN THERE BUT WHEN I MENTIONED THE NAME AT WORK I GOT SOME STRANGE LOOKS AND "WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO GO THERE" COMMENTS. THINK ITS A SURFIE PLACE AND NOT MUCH ELSE.

MICHELLE

[leslie]

AWESOME!

[Dave & Sandra]

Do you mean - as in the jumpers? I'm a knitter :laugh

[leslie]

no! nothing against knitting, but raglan the great is a small town southwest of hamilton.

[Stu]

Raglan is a small (VERY small) town, on one of only a few west coast harbours, roughly west of hamilton. Very muchin the sticks I am afraid, but hey, if you like that, go for it.
Fishing out there can be very good at times, but the tasman sea is one mean lady... almost as bad as the north atlantic!

cheers, Stu.

[singlefin]

Hi I've been lurking a while, but as a keen surfer I've spent a bit of time in Raglan, so can maybe help out here a bit.

Raglan has one of the longest left hand waves in the world, and is probably the most famous surf break in New Zealand. It's very popular with travelling surfers because of this.

It's a funky little town, quite arty, and has a really nice vibe. The beaches and the three points (where the waves are) are great. It's a bit of a drive from Hamilton to get there. It can get pretty windy too.

It featured heavily in the famous 1960 's surfing film Endless Summer.

Overall, if you'll love it if that's your thing.

Hope this all helps.

[leslie]

maybe memory is too kind. i remember calm swimming beaches with lilies growing wild??? pls tell me there are swimming beaches...

[toesonthenose]

Hi Singlefin,
Where are you? I didn't surf in NZ, didn't take my boards and was with the whole family. I've heard about Raglan, but I can't say the surf scene in NZ gets me very stoked. C-c-c-cold water!
Mahalo

[singlefin]

I'm in christchurch. Not the greatest area for waves, but mangamaunu is just up the road, and that's a great right hand point. If you think NZ is cold, try UK where I'm originally from! Way c c c colder!! I went to Maui a few years ago, loved the place.

Raglan's great when it all comes together. It gets real busy though.

Leslie, there are swimming beaches there, in town.

[leslie]

thats one leonard cohen HALLELUJAH.

sorry i cannot join the surf enthusiasts bit - it looks like fun, really it does.

[ali]

leslie,
there is some great swimming to be had if you cross the footbridge from outside the 'old dairy' pub, over the estuary to the caravan/camp site beach, better when tide is out though, we were told by the local folks to rub the submerged sand all over you as it has an abundance of minerals round there and it is really envigorating!! (we tried and it and you really feel great afterwards)
did a bit of surfing down the coast and water temp. was fine in summer with a wetsuit didn't stop a couple of maori lads ( in just shorts!) ripping it and making the rest of us out there in our wetsuits look like proper wuss's. all in all raglan is an ace little town imo.
ali

[leslie]

i am so looking forward to going back. we travelled around quite a bit during our year in nz, and raglan is one of the places that stuck...