| New Melbourne, Trinity Bay
New Melbourne
New Melbourne is a small community located between New Chelsea and Brownsdale. In recent years, surfers - including
Shaun Majumder - have enjoyed its waves. Route 70 or Route 80 each can lead to the town, which about 20km from Old Perlican near the tip of the Bay de Verde Peninsula The drive from St. John's is about 2 hours.
Surfing in New Melbourne
The most attractive feature of the town for the visitor is its beach and waves. New Melbourne is one of best places for surfing in the province.
Surfing in New Melbourne
Photo: Dan Miller
Surfing in New Melbourne!
Photos by Dan Miller and Tony Lee
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Surf Kayaking - An Article by Dave MacDonald
New Melbourne is a popular kayak surfing location as it is not too far from St. John's (where most of the local paddlers are from) and it generally gets the most consistent surf of any of the places on the Avalon Peninsula. Generally, kayakers surf the main beach break or sometimes near the point to the South. Best conditions for surf kayaking at New Melbourne seem to be just after a storm or low pressure weather system has passed through and the winds have died off, but there is still ocean swell from the North. One of the nice features of New Melbourne is that the waves tend to form up in a few different spots which easily allows for different ability levels and groups to surf there at the same time and even for kayak surfers, boogie boarders and stand up surfers to share the waves.
Surf Kayaking in Newfoundland usually involves white water (river) kayakers who are looking for something to do when the local rivers are either too low (middle of the summer) or frozen (during the winter months) and a few Sea Kayakers looking for an extra bit of challenge. It's a year round activity with the best conditions during the late Summer and throughout the Fall. It is however not unusual to get good conditions in January and February, but Winter surfing is for the truly dedicated as the water and air temperatures are not appealing and can be hazardous.
Most people use white water (river) kayaks or sea kayaks, but lately there has been more interest in dedicated surf kayaks specifically built for ocean surfing. The rest of the gear is standard kayak safety gear, PFD and helmet, and cold weather/water gear such as dry suits and or neoprene insulation. A basic kayaking course is highly recommended and people should always surf with others and in conditions that suit their ability level.
One of the new things for kayak surfers is getting used to surf etiquette which is different from river kayaking or sea kayaking. So far things have seemed to work out well with the other surfers but it is something to be very mindful of as New Melbourne is a popular surf spot for the more traditional wave riders as well.
For more info on kayaking in Newfoundland check out Kayak Newfoundland and Labrador (KNL) at www.kayakers.nf.ca.
For more information on surfing etiquette check out www.nesurf.com/Articles/Etiquette/etiquette.html.
Picnic Area
Photo: Terry Maddox
Today, most people living in the town year around commute to places such as Hant's Harbour and Old Perlican for work, while other people maintain summer homes in the community.
St. Stephen's United Church
Photo: Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation
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