A surfboard lost off Australia’s coast nearly 18 months ago has made an extraordinary journey across the Tasman Sea, washing up on one of New Zealand’s most famed surf beaches.

New Zealand-based French surfer Alvaro Bon was kite surfing in Raglan on the North Island’s west coast on 15 October when his kite caught in the water, pulling him out to sea. As he drifted in the currents, he noticed something shining in the dunes at the northern end of the beach.

“I let go of my kite and started paddling towards the [beach] … and that’s where I found the board,” Bon recalled.

At first glance, the board looked slightly yellowed but had a fresh wax job and was in surprisingly good condition. Bon could tell it was handmade and shaped for larger waves, though he didn’t recognise its make.

“Then I

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