Lost Tasmanian Surfboard's Epic 2,400km Sea Adventure Ends in NZ

A custom-made surfboard that was lost off the coast of Tasmania has been discovered on the west coast of New Zealand, after drifting more than 2,400 kilometers across the ocean. The surfboard belonged to an Australian man named Liam, who lost it in May 2024 when it was blown overboard from his boat. Nearly 18 months later, Alvaro Bon, a Frenchman living in New Zealand, found the surfboard while kitesurfing in Raglan Harbour on the North Island. The board was covered in barnacles and mussels, but it was still in good condition.

Alvaro had been kitesurfing when strong currents forced him to let go of his kite to avoid being swept out to sea. He took shelter on a remote part of the harbour and spotted the cream-colored surfboard, which was about 7 feet 6 inches long. He hid the board in the sand dunes and returned a few days later to retrieve it. Alvaro then kitesurfed the board back to the harbour, holding it under one arm while grabbing his kite with the other. After cleaning the board, he posted pictures of it on several online surfing groups, showing the unique signature of the board’s designer. He wondered if the board could have drifted all the way from east Australia.

The post quickly gained attention, with hundreds of people sharing it and commenting on the unusual find. A friend of Liam recognized the surfboard and connected Alvaro with its owner. Liam sent photos to prove the board was his, and arrangements were made for a family friend to pick it up and bring it home to Australia. Alvaro reflected on the experience, saying that sometimes you have to let go of something to find something better. The surfboard’s journey across the sea and its reunion with Liam has amazed both men and the surfing community.