Hi everyone,

I am writing to let you know just how much I fell in love with the country of New Zealand last year when I was there participating in a surf contest representing the USA.

I was so sad when I heard about the earthquake in Christchurch. I did not visit that town but I have heard it’s quaint and charming. And of course beautiful. I know the people there work so hard and family is very important to them. It is always so hard to imagine something like that happening. It is nature though. New Zealand has a lot of earthquakes unfortunately.

We all know this could happen to any of us at any time. I would hope someone would take an interest in helping me if my family was suddenly struck by disaster. So I would like to reach out to the people there, and do what I can to help.

Here are some links to do the same for you if you feel compelled to do so. If we all just give a little it adds up and then people feel our love and support, which is always healing.

Disaster Relief in New Zealand —New Zealand Red Cross
Help Rebuild Christchurch Cathedral — “Buy a Brick”

We were in a beautiful coastal town called Piha for the contest. It was rugged and wild. Part of the Hillary hiking trail went through the town. That would be Sir Edmund Hillary who climbed Mount Everest! There is a 100 mile stretch of trails that link together through the rain forest there and Piha is a part of that amazing beauty. It looks like you’re in Jurassic Park or something.

I was there for about 10 days competing, every day I would try and hike a different trail as well as surf. There were waterfalls and lots of different kinds of trees everywhere.

Lakey spent two weeks in New Zealand for the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in 2010. The contest setting was nothing short of breathtaking. (ISA Photo)

The beach there is one of the most raw and natural beaches I have ever seen. No high rises and big signs to ruin nature there. There are two huge rocks which sit on each side of the beach, where you can hike up to the top and actually have a birds eye view looking down at the waves. It was a great place to watch the competition. Needless to say I fell in love with the country and the people as well. It is like stepping back in time. Things are preserved in a way that we may no longer find that often in other places.

We also got to see Lake Taupo, Auckland and some of the smaller islands. I got to bungy jump in Lake Taupo and mountain bike the trails. All so incredible, it’s hard to describe. You really must go and visit and support such a great place.

Thanks, Lakey P