About us

Exit Surf is a locally owned & operated business, based in Christchurch with over 40 years experience in the industry.

People often ask us what we are about, which is quite hard to answer in a paragraph or two, so in short “Exit Surf is a CORE surf store that has everything you need for surfing - whether that's buying your first board or taking your surfing to the next level. Legropes, wax, tail pads, board bags, shortboards, longboards, stand up paddle boards, wetsuits, booties, gloves, hoods, boardshorts, t-shirts, tie-downs, softracks, repair kits, hats, caps, sunglasses, watches, rashvests, paddles, fins – the list goes on!

We pride ourselves in having one of the largest ranges of surfboards and accessories in New Zealand. While we have all of our product on our website we invite you to come down to our store at 1020 Ferry Rd to see our huge range for yourself. As keen surfers we realise the importance of getting you the correct product for your needs. Whether you are a complete beginner or think you could give Kelly Slater a run for his money we will have the right equipment for you.

At Exit Surf, we have been around since 1979 and have the best customer service in the industry. If you have any questions whatsoever please don't hesitate to contact us so we can get you sorted out and on your way. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Meet the crew

Our Team

Keiry Bennett

Owner/Director/Big Kahuna

Keiry purchased Exit Surf in 1985 and has been at it's helm ever since. It was through his international connections that he grew Exit Surf into New Zealand's largest distributor of Surf Hardware. Although he is now retired he remains involved and is always in for a catch up and a beer with the crew.

Favourite Surf Break: Cloudbreak

Favourite Ever Surfboard: 6'6" Linden Shaped By Gary for my first trip to Hawaii in 1988

Favourite Surfer: Andy Irons

Ideal Surf Trip Location: Wave Park, Mentawais

Ben Lubbers

Owner/Director/Sales Guy

Ben Started working at Exit as a teenager, he then moved over seas and was running Quiksilver stores in London before becoming a buyer for Quiksilver Europe. He returned home in 2006 and has been an integral part of Exit Surf ever since & bought into the company in 2021. He's a proud father of two kids and now spends as much time in the water with them as he does chasing waves himself.

Favourite Surf Break: Indicators, Raglan

Favourite Ever Surfboard: Current JS Xero Gravity

Favourite Surfer: Kelly Slater

Ideal Surf Trip Location: Maldives

Hugh Ritchie

Owner/Director/Web Guy

Hugh started at Exit back in 2012 as a fresh faced 19 year old in the role of Retail store manager. Over the years he gradually took on more responsibilities before buying into the company in 2021, now he runs all things web and is definitely no longer fresh faced. If he's not locked in his office pawing over spreadsheets, you'll find him sneaking out for a cheeky surf on his log.

Favourite Surf Break: Mangamaunu

Favourite Ever Surfboard: 9'7 Jordan Griffin Mixer

Favourite Surfer: Dion Agius

Ideal Surf Trip Location: South-West France

Nick Black

Warehouse Manager/Shop guy/Surfboard Guru

Nick has been with us since 2018, as well as being an incredible father & (retired) Tiler he's also worked in the surf industry for most of his life, including for Billabong in Australia for a number of years. Nick is easily the best surfer in the crew and still froths like a grom whenever Brighton gets over knee high. He's got a quiver that would rival a pro surfers and that means his surfboard knowledge is pretty much second to none!

Favourite Surf Break: Bright Street, Greymouth

Favourite Ever Surfboard: 6'4 Parsons (From 2004)

Favourite Surfer: Chris Ward

Ideal Surf Trip Location: J Bay, South Africa

Fletch Platt

Shop Guy/Socials

Fletch Started as the shop grom back in 2017 and quickly became a vital part of Exit operations. He's the smiley face you see when you walk in store, no matter how hungover he might be that day. When he's not in store or in the water, you'll find him coming in just under par at the local golf course.

Favourite Surf Break: Shipwreck Bay

Favourite Ever Surfboard: 6'2 JS Forget Me Not

Favourite Surfer: Dane Reynolds

Ideal Surf Trip Location: Anywhere with a left hander and cold beers.

Marc Cruickshank

Warehouse/Shop

Marc started with us in 2023 & has made our life a lot easier ever since. Easily the most methodical and system oriented staff member, he makes sure everything is where it's meant to be and everything makes it out to our customers as quick as possible. Father of an awesome young girl & all round legend!

Favourite Surf Break: Forrestry

Favourite Ever Surfboard: Current JS Xero Gravity

Favourite Surfer: Dane Reynolds

Ideal Surf Trip Location: Hawaii

Harry Mahoney

Smiley Shop Guy

The nicest guy in the NZ Surf industry! You will find it pretty hard to find someone who could say a bad word about Harry, he started with us full time in 2022 but now works part time as he focusses on his Design degree. If he's not in a lecture, you'll find him on the nose of his log out at sumner or having a yarn at the local coffee shop.

Favourite Surf Break: Karitane

Favourite Ever Surfboard: JS Red Baron

Favourite Surfer: Harrison Roach

Ideal Surf Trip Location: Rincon, California

Fletch Lawn

Weekend Warrior

Fletch was our weekend shop grom while he was finishing up High School and luckily for us he's stayed on for Saturdays while he studies to be an Electrician. Very handy on a longboard you'll see him out in Sumner most summer days.