Surfers test out Mt Maunganui reef [+pictures]

A north-easterly produced good waves on the artifical reef. Picture / SURF2SURF.com

Surfers have been trying out the new waves at Mt Maunganui after the second part of the man-made reef was put in place.

About 50 surfers took advantage of a 1.5m north-easterly swell which generated good waves throughout the day on Wednesday.

Mike Smith was first in the water at 6am and had the reef to himself for half an hour. "I was definitely pleased with how it was working. Pretty awesome for the Mount," he said.

Though the reef is still not completely finished, designers ASR are pleased with the waves being produced.

Dr Kerry Black at the company said: "It's fantastic to see it starting to work just like our computer and laboratory models predicted. Once it's completed according to our specifications we'll see hollow barrels breaking left and right with consistent 70 metre rides in both directions."

- NZHERALD STAFF

Pictures courtesy of SURF2SURF.com