Nick stayed late to help us find the perfect boards, matched to our individual skill level, and…read morewithin our budget. Brought an engineering mindset to tailored board and fin choice. Great new, used, and demo selection. 10/10 recommend.

Genuine surf shops are hard to find in Auckland. Most "surf shops" are really just stockists of…read moreanything Rip Curl or Billabong and the sales assistants don't know the difference between a short board and a SUP! That's why I consider Ultimate Surf Shop so... well, ultimate. If it's anything surfing orientated you're after, Andre or one of the other knowledgeable staff will certainly be able to suss you out. Whether you want to go all out and buy yourself a brand new board or just stop in for a chat about what the surf is doing and grab a new block of wax this is the place to go. They cater to nooby as learners, eager grommets and old grumpy long boarders. The custom J Dub quad fin board I got from the boys at Ultimate has showed me some seriously good times in the surf. A new addition to Ultimate surf is the Ultimate Skate shop upstairs. Absolutely anything skate will be stored up here and Jesse knows his stuff! He recently put together a board for my boyfriend. I was so thankful he could make the process so simple for me because if I was asked to choose a deck and bearings and wheels and all the other crap going on I wouldn't have known where to start! Ultimate also puts on some awesome events to get involved in from skate jams to movie nights! Lots of good times to be had so I'd recommend getting involved!

Nice, quick, fast and smooth 10 outta motherfucking 10…read moreYou guys were awesome, my reeboks were perfect definite value at your prices im so happy i clicked on your guys store, highly recommend, the only thing i would suggest would be more selection but you guys are awesome. Thankyous il definitely be back

So much selection and from what I was looking at they were providing product for lowest prices I…read morecould find anywhere in this country. Came to Auckland to sail but ended up toping off on Skate and Surf gear because the prices and selection where so great. I also received the perfect help - showed me to my area then left me alone so I could browse and think, then when I had questions they had obvious experience and helped me pick out a set of fins (after I got a new skate and rash guard)

This is such a hip skate and snowboard store located in the Botany Mall, which funnily enough sells…read moreskateboard and snowboard equipment and clothing; and not a bad selection either. But like any store that sells new season and top of the range gear, this store is sort of on the expensive side. Even so, it is probably one of my favourite snowboarding stores to visit. The guy who works in here is a really friendly person who was only too happy to offer help and advice. We spent ages having a yarn about the different snowboards that they stock as well as the advantages of some of the different boards that he has ridden. Good advice from firsthand experience.

Surf wear, street wear, skate wear, sunglasses, shoes, this store has racks of trendy gear that my…read morefamily and I really love to look through and to purchase. We've been in quite a few times over the years picking up either something we forgot for the beach or maybe a great item that was on sale. My most memorable visit to this store was when we (successfully) popped in to shop for bikinis for the girls, our puppy was just a wee thing. We were allowed to bring in pup, a cute little Labrador how could anyone resist. Well, the shopping went on a little longer than anticipated and we didn't read the cue and puppy could not hold it anymore. Embarrassing moment but the people behind the counter were amazing about the whole thing, no big deal. This is a really laid back shop, great gear, great sales people and great attitude when it comes to family members of the four legged kind.

Easy peasy. Park right outside, don't have to deal with oodles of people and BOOM you're walking…read moreout with the perfect gift for yourself or the men in your life. I love boys tees, jumpers, jackets and hats so even though Arcade predominantly supplies men's clothing (with the exception of the beautiful Sunday Misfits range) I still manage to find something I love every time. I am a self professed Moreporks junkie so love that the beautiful NZ made brand is stocked here. The latest range of Arcade shirts are also made in NZ too as well as Sunday Misfits so there are options for the sustainable shoppers out there. They have also recently started selling second hand Polo gems that you wouldn't be able to find after hours of internet trawling. Other brands are quality labels from a variety of places sure to tempt your wallet. If you head to Mercs for the sushi make sure you take a stroll down Cross St to see what these gentlemen have on offer

Before setting foot in the door of Arcade you'll see traces of skaters. The ramp outside, the…read moreVans-stickered custom table, the groups of guys in baggy tees and caps loitering at its gates. Don't worry though - they look more threatening than they really are. Once you make it inside you'll see this is essentially, a clubhouse. A clubhouse that sells skateboards and street wear to be specific. The place doesn't so much cater to the fairer sex, but if you're anything like me and love men's clothes, you'll be fine. Arcade stocks (amongst others) the likes of ONLY NY, Vic and NZ's upwardly mobile Moreporks brand. Get amongst.

Thanks very much to Simon of Fergs Kayaks for helping me purchase 2 kayak paddles and get them…read moreshipped to the USA. They were paddles from a company that has gone out of business, and that I have been searching for for over a year. Simon gave me a good deal and even dropped off the packaged-up paddles at the international shipping company's receiving-location. Very Much Appreciated....

Fergs has a plethora of water sport and exercise gear for hire. You want to feel the burn? Fergs…read morehas got you covered. And's it all the fun stuff too - kayaks, paddleboards, rollerbades... Not so comfortable on SUP's or new to the Auckland Harbour? Not to worry, Fergs offers courses in most of the above (except maybe blades) and even do kayak tours to Rangitoto and Devonport. Check out their website and give them a bell to book. I've only ever hired a SUP to splash around in the neighbouring bay but nevertheless, I found the staff to be courteous and knowledgable. They have a ramp at the back of the shop so it's super easy to launch too. I live right on the water and my brother and I were lucky enough to be given a kayak for christmas a while back, which is probably why I don't frequent Fergs more often but if you're looking for a fun summer activity, this is the ticket!

Do you do ballet, figure skating, hip hop, jazz, rock n roll, ballroom or aerobics? Well, I can…read moreguarantee these guys will have what you need. It's a beautiful selection of different costumes for both guys and girls, whether it's that classy tuxedo with a bow tie, or a tutu one-piece, or perhaps a little girl's fairy costume for her recital, they have it here. It's exceedingly eye catching stuff, and they come all the way across the pacific for you to enjoy and dance in. I enjoyed having a squiz in this shop, merely to appeal to the inner figure skater, which is what I would've done if I wasn't so incredibly unko! haha I'd recommend this place to any dancers or if you're looking for theatrical costumes.

Hey they must be right when they claim to probably be the closest surf shop to the surf! You'll…read morefind them just up from Lion Rock and next to the Piha Store. We eyed up the rack of wetsuits outside just in case we found our size. We'll go back to have a good look at their surfboards because they have quite a range of new and second handy. All your label brands for t-shirts, boardies, dresses, sunglasses an essential beach gear. Owner "Ratso" Buchanan is also your contact for the surf school at Piha which my teenagers checked out this summer. Ratso knows a thing or two about this because he's many time national NZ surfing champion & 2011 ASP World Grandmaster Champion.

Owned by 'Ratso' (Ian) he's the grand master of surfing - best over 50 in the world. So you know…read morethis guy knows what he's doing and selling for that matter. Its right next to the local Piha store. This place is great for all things surf. They rent and sell surfboards and wetsuits so great for purchases or travellers stopping in for a visit and wanting to try it out (be weary of the Piha waves). They also sell all the wax and grips - classic surf store gear downgraded to a local scale shop. There's a little chalk board outside which gives you the surf and weather report for that day to which is handy and shows how generous the store owners are. There's a little seating outside too. It's a pretty good little surf shop.