Waiwhakaiho.

A river mouth beachbreak at the eastern end of Fitzroy Beach in New Plymouth, where the Waiwhakaiho River deposits sand to form quality shifting banks. The wave offers multiple peaks with rights feeding back toward the river channel and longer lefts peeling up the beach. Hollow and fast with barrel sections, the takeoff is vertical and the wave bowls through shallow sand. Picks up noticeably more swell than neighbouring Fitzroy, making it the go-to when size fills in from the SW through N swell window. Best surfed from mid to incoming high tide when the banks light up - low tide tends to shut things down. Entry requires either paddling across the river from the Fitzroy breakwater or walking the coastal walkway to the eastern beach and wading across. River pollution is a consideration after heavy rain. The lineup draws a dedicated local crew whenever conditions align, and manners and awareness of the pecking order are essential. Strong rips form near the river channel.

Waiwhakaiho's shifting banks bowl hollow where the river feeds the sand.