Piha Surf Shop
Family-run surf shop and camping area on Seaview Road. Surfboards (new and used), gear hire, ding repairs, camping, and the friendliest welcome in the village.
About as Piha as it comes. Authentic, friendly and great value.
About
Piha Surf Shop is Mike and Pam's family-run operation on Seaview Road — a surf shop, with a camping area located in a nice grassy-corner of their land, with bush surrounds. They are one of the longest-standing “welcomes” to the village. Mike and Pam have lived in Piha since 1974. They came as school teachers, working at Oratia, Glen Eden, and Henderson schools, with Mike also driving the school bus from Piha to Oratia for several years. In 1985 they bought a beautiful lifestyle block on Seaview Road, built their family home, and in 1990 retired from teaching to start the little surf shop that's still running today.
The shop sells surfboards (new and used) and surfing gear under Mike's own label, MJ Surfboards — handshaped boards made by Mike across decades. Board hire is available alongside the sales. For surfers with a damaged board, Mike has been doing professional ding repairs for many years and remains one of the best to go to in the wider region. The colourful Piha Surf T-shirts and stickers are also part of the operation, and have become a small piece of local identity over the years.
In a separate & accessible private paddock area, Mike and Pam have tent sites and (unpowered) spots for both self-contained and non-self-contained vehicles. Basic camp facilities, with prices ranging from $30 to $35 per person depending on the season. They have a particular soft spot for backpackers and WWOOFers from around the world — young travellers seeking the real Piha experience tend to find their way here and stay longer than they planned to.
Visitors who meander down the long driveway to the shop and the Surf Check Deck find Mike and Pam happy to talk — about the surf, about the village, about the boards Mike has shaped over the years. The Surf Check Deck overlooks one of the better viewing points in Piha. Even visitors who aren't buying anything are welcome to come look.
Mike and Pam have three grown children — Anna, Tim, and Katie — and six grandchildren. Surfing, the beach, and the bush have been part of the family's life for fifty years. Piha Surf is what that life looks like when created over many years, as a husband-wife home-business.
Best for:
Surfers wanting boards, gear, or repairs from someone who's been shaping locally for decades; budget travellers; backpackers; campers; anyone wanting to meet two of Piha's longest-standing locals.
Worth knowing:
The Surf Check Deck is open to visitors who want to see the view, even if they're not shopping or camping. Pop in.
Address:
122 Seaview Road, Piha
Contact:
Email: pihasurf@xtra.co.nz / 0278338512 (Pam) or 027583 2051 (Mike)
Website: pihasurf.co.nz
