From freezing cold waves in Massachusetts to the long lefts of Raglan. I recently invited Wes Rogers onto my Raglan Community Radio show How to Make It Work, a podcast exploring how people build lives and livelihoods that truly fit them.
As co-owner of Green Wave Surf School, Wes is now helping others catch their first wave.
Q: You grew up surfing in pretty extreme winter conditions, what was that like?
Yeah, it was cold. Proper cold. Five or six mil wetsuits, boots, gloves. Sometimes there was snow on the beach. But it was a great surf community. I’ve got lifelong friends from surfing back there.
Q: What first brought you to Raglan?
Surfing, honestly. Especially as a goofy-footer, Raglan was always one of those places you hear about. I first came here in winter, so I met a lot of local people. It was such a nice introduction to the community. That’s what brought me back.
Q: You worked for the World Surf League before settling here, how did that come about?
My professor connected me after I graduated. I ended up working as a full-time writer covering events. It was completely remote, so I was travelling and chasing waves myself. Although watching contests for work at 2.00 in the morning was not ideal.
Q: And how did you go from that to running a surf school?
I met the guys who started Green Wave on my first trip here. When I came back in 2017, I just sort of fell into managing it. Then one of the owners moved on, and I became part of it. It all evolved pretty naturally.
Q: Green Wave is one of New Zealand’s top-rated surf schools; what’s the secret?
Keeping it fun, focusing on the customer, and having good staff. Also, just making sure people are on the right equipment. That’s a big part of getting them standing up.
Q: What do you love most about the job?
Everyone is so excited to try something new. It is such a good energy, and it reminds you not to take surfing too seriously.
Q: And the World Surf League coming to town, big deal?
It’ll be interesting. Good waves and weather will decide a lot. For me, I’m more excited for the local kids seeing it all happen at their home break.
Catch the full interview on Raglan Community Radio’s How to Make It Work, Mondays at 12:30 pm, or listen anytime via the station’s website, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
If you have found an unconventional way to make it work, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out via Instagram @stories.by.annika and be the next guest on my show.
