Flying high in Pam's wake

A huge wave crashes around kitesurfer Mike Holland off Ruakaka Beach in this spectacular photo he captured on a GoPro camera strapped to his kite.

Racing down a wall of crushing ocean water provided kitesurfer Mike Holland with an adrenaline rush and a experience that left him smiling all day.

The 41-year-old former Bream Bay College student, who owns a paragliding business in Queenstown, said the remnants of Cyclone Pam meant he had a dream day in massive waves off Ruakaka beach on Monday.

The extreme sport addict made the trip North especially to ride the massive waves after some careful planning and astute weather watching.

"I study weather systems everyday in my job. I could see there was going to be a massive swell and the wind direction was going to be good."

He flew north before Cyclone Pam hit and waited until the sea conditions were near perfect.

Mr Holland is also a keen photographer and strapped a camera to his kite.

"I waited until the conditions were right with the sun out to get that magic moment."

This sort of extreme sport is not for the faint hearted or novices. Mr Holland has been kite surfing since 1999 and said he battled to get out behind the breakers on Monday.

"There was no one else in the water. You need a bit of experience to be out there."

Kitesurfers must not only manoeuvre a kite high above them but they must also manage a surfboard at the same time.

After battling through the surging white water Mr Holland set himself up on the waves.

"It's similar to being towed in on surf with a jetski. You have to get right out the back and find a the swell. You stay in front of the wave and once it gets bigger you ride it in. You try to outrun the wave."

He described the waves as "triple over head" and pretty scary. But the 20-second-long rides were an amazing adrenaline rush.

"It was a dream day and I think I nailed both the ride and the photo. I got a sore jaw I was smiling so much."