When I got the call about joining Armstrong Home Tour III in New Zealand, I had no idea what to expect. I had watched the first two Home Tours and heard plenty about New Zealand, but nothing really prepared me.
After three days of traveling, I finally arrived and met up with Annie Reickert, Cash Berzolla, Naumi Eychenne, James Jenkins, Emma and Guy Bridge, along with the Armstrong crew. I had only met Cash and Annie before, so I was excited to spend the next couple of weeks riding with everyone and getting to know the team.
We headed south from Queenstown and straight into some of the most incredible landscapes I had ever seen. On our first evening, we surf foiled with dolphins as the sun went down, followed by a clear night sky and the aurora above us. Not a bad first day.
From there, every day was different. We found glassy prone waves, remote tow spots, long downwind runs and hidden breaks beneath the cliffs. Some days meant carrying all our gear through bushes to reach the water. Other days meant driving for hours with no real idea what we would find at the end.
The weather kept us guessing too. We had freezing water, rain, 30-knot winds and moments when the wind disappeared completely. But that became one of my favorite things about the trip. You never really knew what was coming next.
Our final day delivered one of the best sessions of the trip, with an overhead right and everyone going all out. It was the perfect way to finish.
Looking back, I’m just grateful. For the places we found, the people I met, and everything we experienced together.
New Zealand gave us freezing water, wild weather, empty waves, long drives, and more adventure than we could have expected. More than anything, it gave us the chance to ride, learn, laugh, and share it all as a team.
That’s what made Home of Armstrong Tour III so special.
Words: Zany Guy
Photos: Oscar Hetherington
Photos: Oscar Hetherington