Why You Need a Hooded Towel in New Zealand
When you’re a surfer in New Zealand, a hooded towel quickly becomes one of those pieces of gear you never knew you needed — until you try one. From chilly post-surf change sessions at Wainui Beach to keeping the kids warm after a swim, hooded towels (also called poncho towels or surf ponchos) are the ultimate mix of comfort, practicality, and style.
At Blitz Surf Shop in Gisborne, we stock one of the biggest ranges of hooded towels in NZ, with options for men, women, and kids from leading surf brands like Quiksilver, Billabong, O’Neill, Roxy, Creatures of Leisure and more. We’ve also just released some very special local designs, including our Gizzy Hard Premium Hooded Towel and the new Wai-Tai Māori hooded towel, which connect surfing with authentic local culture.
🌊 Why Every Surfer Needs a Hooded Towel
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Warmth after a surf: No more freezing in the carpark trying to change. A hooded towel keeps the wind off and helps you dry fast.
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Easy changing: Designed like a poncho, it gives you privacy when you’re wriggling out of your wetsuit.
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All-ages friendly: From men’s hooded towels built tough for everyday surf use, to women’s hooded towels in soft cotton velour, through to bright and fun kids’ hooded towels, they’re practical for the whole whānau.
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Travel essential: Whether you’re hitting the surf in Raglan, Gisborne, or heading overseas, a hooded towel packs small and saves hassle.
👉 Check out our full collections here:
🔥 Spotlight: Gizzy Hard Premium Hooded Towels
Local, bold, and made for the hardcore surf crew, the Gizzy Hard Premium Hooded Towel is one of our favourites. Made from 100% cotton velour, it’s soft, super absorbent, and built to last.
The “Gizzy Hard” name says it all — repping Gisborne’s surf culture while keeping you cosy after a heavy winter session. If you’re a local or a visitor who loves the Gisborne surf scene, this towel is a must-have piece of kit.
Gizzy Hard is trademarked to Blitz Surf Shop. Anything else is ripped off and bound to not be the same quality
🌿 New Release: Wai-Tai Māori Hooded Towels
We’re stoked to launch the Wai-Tai Kaitiaki Māori Hooded Towel – an exclusive design that goes deeper than just surfwear.
This premium heavyweight cotton velour hooded towel features ta moko–inspired artwork by local Gisborne ta moko artist Maia Gibbs. Each design ties back to te ao Māori, representing guardianship (kaitiakitanga), connection to the ocean, and the strength of culture in Aotearoa surf life.
With Māori designs and Māori gear growing fast in popularity across NZ, this towel is more than just a surf accessory – it’s wearable art with meaning. If you’re searching for a Māori hooded towel that’s authentic, local, and unique, Wai-Tai is the one.
Follow the Wai-Tai journey on Instagram
🏄 Brands You Know & Trust
Alongside our local Gizzy Hard and Wai-Tai releases, Blitz Surf Shop also stocks hooded towels from leading surf brands:
Whether you want something simple and functional or bold and branded, we’ve got options for every surfer, swimmer, and beach lover.
🌞 The Everyday Essential for Kiwi Beach Life
From changing after dawn patrols to wrapping up the kids after an evening swim, a hooded towel is more than just a piece of surf gear — it’s a lifestyle essential.
Shop our full range of men’s, women’s, kids’ and Māori hooded towels online at Blitz Surf Shop NZ, and get fast shipping direct to your door.
👉 Explore the collection now at blitzsurf.co.nz
