Photos

PIHA SURF

Piha is a very rough beach, well known for its overwhelming surf. It is situated on the west coast of the North Island – a coastal community nestled between the rugged forested Waitakere Ranges and a black sand beach notorious for its wild weather and large surf.

Every summer thousands of people come to the beach for a day or spend the holidays camping or baching. The community is a mix of bach owners who visit periodically throughout the year and permanent residents who may work from home or commute each day to the City.

Many go fishing on these rocks, and end up drowning. There are lots of warnings about the bad waves and rips and currents, but still more go out there with their fishing lines!! Most drownings are of fishermen, who tempt fate on surf-bashed rocks, and often are caught out while hauling in a fish or freeing a snagged line.