Tracks.

Tracks is the first of three quality righthand point breaks strung along the boulder-lined coast of Mahia Peninsula, positioned where the old railway line meets the sea - a landmark that gives the spot its identity. Of the three points in this complex, Tracks is the most sheltered, which means it demands a big swell to come alive, ideally from the south with a touch of west. When it fires, the reward is well worth the wait: tapered, peeling walls that roll across well-covered boulders for 200 to 500 metres, producing long, mechanical shoulders ideal for linking turns rather than hunting barrels. The wave is medium-paced and forgiving enough in shape to reward performance surfing without the raw intensity of the outer points. Entry is via paddle from the beach or by drifting down from Point Annihilation further up the point complex. Swell range sits between four and ten feet, and the spot works best on a low to incoming mid tide. Timing is everything. Crowd levels are variable - when good swell arrives the lineup fills with experienced locals who know what they have. Respect is expected and localism is real at this somewhat under-the-radar stretch of the East Cape coastline.

Long mechanical shoulders where the old railway meets the boulder-lined point.