Waiinu Beach.

Waiinu Beach is a right-hand point break that hugs a curve in the Waitotara coastline, peeling over a predominantly sand bottom with scattered rocks to mind on entry. The wave shares DNA with its neighbour Fences a short walk up the coast - both are fundamentally mellow rides that reward patience over aggression. What sets Waiinu apart is its wind tolerance: any north component, including NW, gets cleaned up by the headland angle, making it a reliable option when most of the coast goes onshore. The tradeoff is size - small swells lose all their punch before they reach the lineup, so moderate to large groundswell from the SW is a prerequisite for anything rideable. When the swell fills in, the rights can run 200 to 500 metres across a wide range of tides, offering long, flowing walls that suit surfers who enjoy setting a rail rather than snapping in the pocket. The hollow tendency surfaces mostly on the bigger sets, where the sand concentrates the energy momentarily before the wave re-opens into its characteristic mellow shape. Rips and occasional submerged rocks are the main hazards; the beach draws a mixed crowd only when conditions are genuinely pumping.

North wind cleans the Waitotara curve when the coast goes onshore everywhere else.