Down from the slopes and into the surf

The water was icy cold but that didn't stop Stephanie Buehler taking on the waves in Mount Maunganui this long weekend.

Donned in a full-length wetsuit, Stephanie paddled through the surf and caughtawave or two_ something she considered pretty incredible since it was her second day on the water.

Stephanie, a ski instructor from Switzerland, had been travelling around New Zealand for about four weeks after spending the winter working on the mountains in the South Island.

The warmer weather saw her and a friend, also from Switzerland, travel up the country and experience the coastal activities the Western Bay had to offer.

"This is such a nice place, it's a beautiful beach,'' she said.

"It's such a change from back home so we're really enjoying it.''

Further along from where the women were having their surfing lesson, a few brave souls swam in the sea while others played in the sand or walked along the beach.