The Popularity of Betting on Surfing in New Zealand

Surfing has always been a love for the Kiwis, as well as betting, so putting these two loves together makes perfect sense. New Zealand is a beautiful country surrounded by water. You will find some of the best surf breaks in the world along its coastlines. 

So naturally, New Zealanders have a connection with surfing, and wagering on surfing events has become super popular. We shall take a look into the surfing culture in New Zealand and why it is so popular. 

Surfing Culture in New Zealand 

There is everything for perfect surfing in New Zealand: from the rugged coastlines of the North Island to the stunning beaches of the South Island. The surfing culture can be traced back centuries. The indigenous people, known as the Maori tribes, would ride waves as pleasure and as a mode of transport. 

Today's surfing culture consists of a diverse community of surfers who respect the ocean.

From weekend warriors to professionals, surfers head to famous breaks such as Raglan, Phia, and Mount Maunganui to enjoy the surf. There are surfing events throughout the year which draw large crowds of spectators. Surfing has now permeated popular culture in the country. It influences art, fashion, and music. 

You have famous brands like Billabong, O'Niel, and Rip Curl, which are all famous names in surfing. The surfing culture in New Zealand has a deep respect for the community and a love for adventure. Kiwis will always have a deep love for the ocean and the sport. 

Rise of Real Money Betting on Surfing

The rise of surf betting is down to the increased media coverage of the sport, plus the professionalization of surfing. Of course, the increased number of betting and gambling platforms like various real money CasinoDeps operators has also added to the rise of bettingin New Zealand. You also have to consider the surfing competitions that are held every year. 

The World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour travels worldwide with the world's greatest surfers. This has brought lots of eyeballs and big bets to the sport. It is so easy nowadays to place a wager on your favorite surfer online. This convenience has opened up the betting market to surf enthusiasts. 

As you can now watch coverage of surfing events all year round and follow your favorite stars through social media, this has created a surge in surf betting. 

Popular Surfing Events in NZ and Globally 

Many surfing events run yearly, attracting the best surfers from around the world. These events are all about showcasing surfing skills to the surfing community. These events can pull in large crowds of fans and large bets. These are a few events in the surfing calendar: 

• Piha Pro (New Zealand) - This event takes place on the west coast of Auckland, a famous surf beach. This prestigious surfing event brings together top-class surfers from around the globe. It has a vibrant atmosphere every year. 
• The Corona Open J-Bay (South Africa) - This surfing event at Jeffreys Bay is known for its long, fast barrels. This competition is part of the WSL Championship Tour and is a favorite among surfers.
• Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Australia) - Bells Beach is located in Victoria, and this competition is one of the longest-running professional surfing competitions. It is part of the WSL Championship Tour, which features the world's elite surfers. 

These surfing events draw the attention of surfers and fans from around the planet. The media attention is greater now than ever before, which adds to the sport's popularity. 

Surfing Betting Markets and Trends 

As surfing has gained popularity over the last decade, betting has become a big business in surfing. Betting is traditionally made on the main competitions, such as the World Surf League. Nowadays, there are gamblers who bet on a broader surfing market online. 

You can choose to bet on the outright winner of a surf competition. This is one of the most popular bets made in the surfing world.There are also head-to-head matchups. This means you will bet between two surfers gunning for the top prize. There will be odds on each surfer, and you can bet on who will gain more points or go further in the competition. 

Live betting is now popular because of all the live streams available. It is now possible to place bets while the action is unfolding in real-time. You can factor in the weather conditions and become immersed in the action. 

The surfing betting markets are constantly evolving to meet the demands of the bettors. This sport will get larger in time as the coverage expands. Expect even more betting options in the future in surfing. 

Final Thoughts

Betting on surfing provides a thrilling, exhilarating experience for everyone involved. 

Online gambling in New Zealand is popular and is allowed from 20 years old, is governed by the Gambling Act 2003, which regulates and licenses various forms of remote gambling activities within the country. Many bettors also prefer offshore casinos and betting platforms. 

The betting market in surfing caters to every preference imaginable. The number of competitions held worldwide allows gamblers to place a bet and win real money. Always remember that betting is a risky business, so always gamble responsibly. Use betting as a form of entertainment, not as a money-making exercise.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fred Felton          

Content Creator / Editor

Fred Felton is a copywriter, editor and social media specialist based in Durban, South Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in creating high end content. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. Currently Fred specialises in the adventure watersports space, focussing on surf, kayak and rafting. He is also a keynote speaker and has presented talks and workshops in South Africa.