Surf's upstream!

Trainee helicopter pilot Johnny Pearson (23), of Wanaka, has found a continuous wave at the Hawea River kayak park the perfect place to practise some surfing moves.

He has been a regular user of the new park since it opened a few weeks ago and says while he wondered how kayakers would feel about a surfer using their water, kayakers had been ''super friendly''. The way to avoid being swept downstream was to find the ''sweet spot'' - then a surfer could ride the river all day long, he said.