Taylors Mistake is a sand-bottomed beach break that holds more size than the beaches around it. It tends to close out when the swell is small, so it really comes into its own once there's some size running, throwing up chunky lefts and rights near the beach headlands at lower tides. It rates as a good spot overall.
When It Works
The break draws swell from northeast through southeast (NE-SE), with northeast (NE) the best match, and it sits a touch more exposed to E-NE swell than the nearby beaches. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 3 m / 10 ft, and because it closes out on smaller days, the bigger end of that range is when it turns on. Expect moderately consistent conditions.
Wind and Tide
Look for southwest (SW) offshore wind. It breaks on low and mid tide, with a rising tide generally the better call, and the lefts and rights near the headlands show best at lower tides.
Local Tips
This is a good spot for beginners to get waves, though expect a busy lineup when it's working.
Access
From Christchurch City, head east on Moorhouse Ave onto Ferry Road and continue all the way to Sumner, then turn left onto Nayland Street. At the bottom of the hill the road bends left and becomes Heberden Ave, then Scarborough Road as it winds up and over the hill, before turning into Taylors Mistake Road on the way down the other side into the bay. There's a car park with free parking, plus restrooms, showers, a lifeguard, and a surf shop. When it's bigger, use the rips by the rocks to help you get out.
