I'm really excited about the crystal clear water around Dunedin's beaches right now. This shot above is the reason why. When I first came to Dunedin in 1998 I managed to get a similar shot at Boulder Beach and I remember thinking then that this had to be the clearest water since I swam off a reef in Fiji.
 
It's a real treat to be able to dive down and watch waves break overhead – they really are just as stunning from beneath as they are on top. The whitewater often looks like clouds billowing violently through the sky in timelapse. This day was extra special because I shunned the wetsuit and was swimming in my boardshorts with just a rash vest to keep the sun off.
 
It was also a surf with my mate Justin who was about to get married a few hours later to the lovely Tory. What a great way to prepare for the big day. The harbourside wedding was an absolute stunner with guests from all over the world enjoying a magical Dunedin evening and sunset.
 
It's a pretty amazing summer to show off our backyard to international guests and you just can't help but be a little bit proud. One of the guests at Tory and Justin's wedding was a surfer from Western Australia and he was blown away by the empty waves and quantity of quality beaches in the city. I guess sometimes it takes an outsider to remind us all that we do live in one of the best places on earth.  
 
You're probably back into work by now, or at least going through the motions in your office chair. I think a good New Year's resolution is to explore your backyard and hit the beaches at every opportunity. Okay, well that's my plan at least! I hope you enjoy this week's report.
 
See you at the beach ...