Best time to surf Porridge (Pahia)

The best time to surf at Porridge (Pahia) is July–August, with waves of about 1.6 m and water around 11°C.

Riverton, Southland, New Zealand

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: July–August

Porridge is a reef and point break near the small settlement of Pahia, on the Foveaux Strait coast of western Southland. It lies off the Southern Scenic Route about 15 km west of Colac Bay, on the way to Orepuki and Tuatapere; Riverton, about half an hour away, has shops, fuel and accommodation, and Invercargill Airport is about 45 km away.

The wave is a left-hand point over shallow, uneven rocky reef. When it works it is fast and hollow, with heavy barrels. It needs a south swell, the angle that lines up with the point, and a north to north-easterly wind, which blows offshore. Guides differ on the tide, but mid to high tide is usually best. It is fickle and may only break properly a few times a year, mostly in autumn and winter, but when it does the lineup is small and local.

Porridge is for expert surfers only. The reef is shallow and unforgiving, rips are strong, sharks live in these waters, and there are no lifeguards and little help nearby, so never surf it alone and respect the locals. Colac Bay is the easier choice on the same coast. The water is about 11 °C in August and 16 °C in February: a 5/4 or 6/5 with boots, gloves and a hood in winter, a 4/3 with boots in summer.

Month by month at Porridge (Pahia)

January: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 0.6 m, water 16°C, air 16°C (nights 12°C), 24 sunny days, 15 rainy days
February: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 16°C, air 17°C (nights 12°C), 24 sunny days, 14 rainy days
March: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 16°C, air 16°C (nights 11°C), 23 sunny days, 18 rainy days
April: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 15°C, air 15°C (nights 10°C), 18 sunny days, 17 rainy days
May: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 13°C, air 13°C (nights 9°C), 15 sunny days, 17 rainy days
June: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 12°C, air 11°C (nights 7°C), 14 sunny days, 17 rainy days
July: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 12°C, air 10°C (nights 7°C), 14 sunny days, 17 rainy days
August: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 11°C, air 11°C (nights 7°C), 21 sunny days, 18 rainy days
September: 18 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 15 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 12°C, air 11°C (nights 7°C), 23 sunny days, 22 rainy days
October: 17 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 12°C, air 12°C (nights 8°C), 23 sunny days, 20 rainy days
November: 14 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 13°C, air 14°C (nights 10°C), 25 sunny days, 17 rainy days
December: 14 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 14°C, air 15°C (nights 11°C), 25 sunny days, 19 rainy days