SUMMER FUN | WESTGATE LIFESTYLE

New Zealanders by the thousands are grabbing their sun umbrellas, chilli bins, buckets and spades, sunblock and swimwear and heading off to our beaches and lakes this summer. More of us Kiwis than usual, in fact. With our borders shut, it’s summer holiday Kiwi-style for everyone, including those who would normally be heading to the other hemisphere for skiing holidays.

Summer is, of course, an optimal time to get submerged, splashed, and social. It’s a time to get the water volleyball out and backyard games and engage with our children – or adult friends too. We hosted a “Fiji Day” at our house over the weekend, and a backyard game that essentially involved tossing bits of timber, generated a wonderful amount of hilarity. It’s easy to forget how much fun such things are… and it’s a break from all the eating!

This summer could also be the time for building your children’s water confidence – goggle, snorkel and fin sets make this fun and there’s a selection available at Rebel Sport. Kayaks and paddleboards, inflatables and towables, body and skim boards – there’s so much available that’s geared at water fun.

If you need a break from the sun and have a hankering for a cool environment, come on down to Westgate Lifestyle, where some great deals are an extra drawcard. The dreamy day bed from ifurniture, the lounger from NOOD, the camping chair from Briscoes, the side table ice bucket from Freedom … are, for example, all on special. Coincidentally, nearly every item that caught my eye this time comes with a slashed price tag (as much as 60 percent off). I thought I was pretty well prepared for summer, but a wander around Briscoes reminded me that I’ve long wanted/needed one of those aluminium-framed picnic cooler bags, so I’ve been shopping. And, at less than half price, the beach towels at Bed Bath and Beyond became another shopping success story.

If Santa didn’t deliver exactly what was hoped for, or needed, now could be the time to rectify that. Chances are you may even have Westgate Lifestyle vouchers to spend. Bonus!

1.Seaside Supplies Double Jacquard Velour Pineapple Fringe Beach Towel, $15.90, from Bed Bath and Beyond |2. Solace Lounger – Atlantic, $131.60, from NOOD |3. Victoria aluminium outdoor daybed with cushions, $1,249.00, from ifurniture |4. Mares Junior X-One Pirate MSF Set, $79.99, from Rebel Sport |5. Cannes side table ice bucket, $269.10, from Freedom Furniture |6. Urge Neoprene volleyball assorted, $23.99, from Rebel Sport |7. Bocce Game, $119.99, from NOOD |8. Tablefair picnic cooler bay, aluminium frame and handle grey, $24.00, from Briscoes |9. Outdoor Creations deluxe camping chair, green-beige colour, $29.99, from Briscoes |10. Florida teal, 2.7m outdoor umbrella by Peros, $300, from Harvey Norman.

Note: Prices mentioned, and availability of products featured are subject to change. If you love the look, we recommend you head in store to find out more.