Sumner Bar Reviews and Ratings
(Canterbury, New Zealand)
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Visitor reviews of Sumner Bar surf break
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“I lived there for a year and never saw the bar worth riding unless you are a wind or kite surfer.”
Chris from AUSTRALIA - 03 Jan 2015
Sumner Bar Ratings
Overall: 3.0. Based on 17 votes and 2 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 4.1(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: 2.1(1: Sumner Bar is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 3.3(1: Sumner Bar is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Canterbury. 5: the best break in Canterbury). |
Difficulty Level: 3.2(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.2(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Sumner Bar can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.9(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Sumner Bar, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 2.2(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Sumner Bar are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 2.9(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 3.4(1: Often too crowded. 5: Sumner Bar is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 4.2(1: Getting to Sumner Bar 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: 3.9(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 4.2(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 4.5(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Sumner Bar for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 2.6(1: Camping at Sumner Bar is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 4.1(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Sumner Bar is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 3.3(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 4.4(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Sumner Bar, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 4.2(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Sumner Bar where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“I've scored it and found it to be a fast hollow wall that rolls in fast and doubles in size as water is sucked off the bar causing a barrel that breaks below sea level which creates an even rounder shape than a wave that pitches to the flats ! Very rare to score it working properly.”
ood from NEW ZEALAND - 26 Nov 2014
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