Patons Rock Reviews and Ratings
(Nelson – Tasman Bay, New Zealand)
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Visitor reviews of Patons Rock surf break
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Patons Rock? In Golden Bay? I'm joking right?
With the fickle but quality Nelson breaks like Schnappers to the east of here and the relentless Southern Ocean swells of the West Coast in the other direction, it's a rare day when surfers bother with the inside of Golden Bay, but now and then it works and when it works, it's surprisingly ok and can feel less like a windswell than you would imagine, especially if the wave period is in double digits.
The short stretch of Golden Bay between here and about Para Para is open to about 150kms of easterly fetch, as far as Wanganui in one direction and the Kapiti Coast in the other. If there is a strong wind in this 45 degree window, roughly between NE and E, it kicks up a swell and helpfully there is even a wavebuoy in the middle of Golden Bay that records it live. Once it gets over about 2m (it can get to about 4m) there will be waves in Golden Bay. Although there is a 15km stretch of coast that has all kinds of potentially nice set-ups, Patons Rock seems about the most reliable for cleaning up the swell as the wind swings cross or even off-shore. Even then, it only breaks perhaps 5 or 10 days per year, usually in autumn or winter when depressions and cyclones pass over North Island. When it does break, waves are a lot like high-tide at Rabbit Island; i.e. shoulder high and quite punchy.
Nearby Onekaka, Para Para and Milnthorpe can all produce shoulder to over head-high waves, but they tend to be straight onshore at that size. By working the angle of wind and waves, there can be good windsurfing and kitesurfing too.”
Rob Davies from NEW ZEALAND - 17 Aug 2015
Patons Rock Ratings
Overall: 2.0. Based on 3 votes and 1 review. Vote
Quality on a good day: 2.0(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 1.0(1: Patons Rock is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 2.0(1: Patons Rock is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Nelson - Tasman Bay. 5: the best break in Nelson - Tasman Bay). |
Difficulty Level: 1.0(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 3.0(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Patons Rock can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 3.0(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Patons Rock, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 4.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Patons Rock are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 5.0(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 5.0(1: Often too crowded. 5: Patons Rock is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 5.0(1: Getting to Patons Rock requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 4.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 5.0(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 3.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Patons Rock for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 3.0(1: Camping at Patons Rock is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 3.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Patons Rock is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 1.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 4.0(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Patons Rock, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 1.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Patons Rock where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
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