Girls Surf Activation: Speed & Drive Camp at Mount Maunganui

On the wide sand of Mount Maunganui in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty Region, waves arrive with predictable punch and a lively sandbar that rewards aggressive surfing. Girls Surf Activation – Speed & Drive Camp runs here, offering intermediate-to-elite surfers focused coaching that sharpens speed, power and critical wave-reading skills. The camp uses the beach break and shifting sandbanks to build drills that translate directly to faster entries, stronger bottom turns and longer arcs off the top. Sessions emphasize momentum—how to generate and keep it through trim, rail engagement and committed turn speed—so riders learn to carry drive into surf that peels quickly. Coaches push series work: timed paddling sprints into waves, repeated bottom-turn combos, and linked turn sequences that simulate competitive heats. Expect focused video feedback and in-water correction to refine posture, weight placement and exit timing. What makes this experience stand out is the setting and the progression model. Mount Maunganui’s long beach provides both forgiving whitewater and cleaner shoulder sections when the swell lines up, which lets instructors cycle drills from sheltered practice to open-face application in a single session. The coastline’s sandbars and occasional shore-current create a teaching environment where students learn to read subtle changes in wave shape and pace—skills that translate to surf elsewhere in New Zealand and beyond. The camp is designed for surfers who already have solid pop-ups and basic trim; sessions are hard-paced and technical rather than introductory. Bring a surfboard suited to speed work—short, responsive shapes or performance hybrids—and be prepared for repeated wave attempts. The program is also an empowering environment: coaching is tuned to female athletes and focuses on aggressive line choices, confident takeoffs and getting comfortable with committed turns. Beyond technique, a visit to Mount Maunganui offers coastal character: long beach walks, a lively local surf scene, and the volcanic cone visible from town that marks the skyline. Weather shifts can change the line-up quickly, so the camp teaches both physical technique and practical wave-reading—how to pick peaks, spot sandbar drains and choose the best approach for a breaking set. This is more than a series of drills; it’s an accelerated development loop that turns isolated skill practice into repeatable performance. For intermediate and advanced women who want measurable speed gains, stronger turns and smarter wave selection in a high-energy, supportive setting, the Girls Surf Activation camp at Mount Maunganui is a focused way to level up your surfing. Sessions typically run in blocks that vary by season and swell—check the provider’s schedule and arrive with sunscreen, a wetsuit appropriate to water temperature, a performance shortboard, and willingness to repeat reps; you’ll leave with clearer timing, stronger drive and a toolkit of techniques to attack faster waves.