Surf: Waikanae and Midway Beach are ideal beginners waves, closer to the river, but where the town sewer pipe heads 3km out to sea has built up top quality sandbars for some thumping tubes. Directions: From Gisborne City Centre, near the clock tower on Gladstone Road, travel west, then turn south onto Stanley Road, and go all the way to the end, Midway Surf Life Saving Club, beside Watson Park. Turn right onto Centennial Marine Drive and go along a little further and find a park. The main surf peak is a few hundred meters west down the beach from the surf club. Environment: Always crowded when it works with adept locals dodging the close-outs.