About Us

Learn 2 Surf & Waipu Cove

Waipu Cove is a hidden treasure tucked away in the winterless north. With a long history of surfing, the Cove draws people from all over the world to come experience it's chilled vibe.

Husband and wife duo Grae and Ellen took over Lean 2 Surf in October 2017 and are stoked to be able to carry on the amazing legacy Daniel and Emma started. They moved over from Australia in December 2016 and have loved exploring this amazing slice of paradise they now call home.

We truly believe that surfing can ignite newfound purpose giving people a natural high, which leaves them wanting more, in a healthy & positive way.

Who We Are

Our team are all avid surfers who are eager to share their skills and knowledge with all upcoming surfers. We are passionate about making surfing accessible for everyone and equipping our students with the knowledge they need for their surfing experience to be fun and safe.

We are a Surfing NZ accredited surf school with a team of passionate surf instructors who all hold their International Surfing Association Coaching (ISA) Certificates and comprehensive First Aid trained.

Grae Snelling - Co-director

Grae has been surfing all his life and is a passionate surfer who loves sharing his knowledge and experience. He is a walking encyclopedia on all things surfing and is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others. Grae spent his early years surfing Pataua Bar and Ocean Beach before moving to Walkworth and hunting for waves in the area.

At 16 Grae moved to Victoria Australia where some of the world’s top breaks including Bells Beach became his new local. He spent the next 20 years working and surfing all the main breaks along the Eastern and Southern coastline of Australia. He’s stoked to be passing on everything he loves about surfing.

Ellen Snelling - Co-director

Ellen has had a passion for surf coaching for almost 2 decades. As a highschool teacher she is passionate about empowering students with new skills and brings this into her lessons.

Growing up in Western Australia she has always been around the ocean and is a passionate advocate of ocean awareness and care. Surfing came into her life in her early 20’s and she has never looked back. First starting her coaching career in Ireland, she has been lucky enough to have opportunities to coach in several other locations around the world. A passionate traveller she is excited to be exploring and experiencing this amazing country with her family.