I opened Google Maps, threw in my mates address and off I went. 36 hours of walking to go.
Just as well I wasn't walking right?
We hopped in the Nav at 4:45 am rearing to go. I'm going to preface this by saying theres two things Hologram loves, empty waves and pumping waves. Against our better judgment and the values of this amazing brand, we struck out on our way to clog up the points and catch some perfect long lefts.
We bumped tunes on the way, classics like 'Naive' by the Kooks and some questionable Tik Tok songs came on, played by yours truly. Who doesn't love to feel young free and out to create memories?
As we drove through the beautiful Te Uku hills, I knew it was going to be a pearler. We dawdled into town - first stop: The bakery. After some heavy renovations and price hikes (thanks covid) it felt a lot less like the landmark I used to know. I nabbed a butter chicken pie, the others grabbed donuts and sandwiches - perfect for a long day of paddling.
We made our way out to one of the points in time to watch a few drop ins for some easy entertainment, classic.
8:00 am
Wetty on.
Booties on.
Hood on.
Go time.
The thing about Raglan is you never know if you're about to get the wave of your life or a fin to the face. I was lucky enough to just miss out on the latter.
I spotted a bomb making its way through outsides. I'd waited to make my way to the top of the pack, ready for this glorious rippable left that I'd been waiting for my whole life. I paddled in, starting to race down the line. In true Raglan fashion two surfers burned me, battling to get a wave and smash a few turns, ah well. The real pandemic is that so many people in Rags seem to be blind in their right eye ;)
I finished my session with noodle arms and a smile on my face though, I definitely scored.
12:30pm
We parked up in a little nook, kicked back and opened the Hologram 270 - can't beat some shade right?
After a bit of grub we put on some tunes and waited for our arms to regenerate.
3:30pm
Time for the next session; Points are looking average, let's check the beach.
The swell has made its way to a perfect bank down the beach and no one is on it.
'Phone call'
"Get down here, it's low-key firing"
"Uhh I don't believe you, I have work to do"
"No, seriously get down here or you'll regret it"
"Ahh alright you twisted my arm"
'Call ends'
Let me tell you, there were no regrets that session. A left hander formed, creating what I would call the perfect bank. Like clockwork the wave would hit it, starting with a cruisey roll in, into a 4-foot tube, playful but punchy, ending with a turn section. Then paddle out and do it all over again. We got it to ourselves for the first couple of hours, enough time to get some of the best lefts I've ever surfed!
That's what I'd call a successful strike mission.
