Bethany Miller learned quickly how to ride the waves of COVID-19 when in March she found herself suddenly out of a job, along with hundreds of her co-workers, right before lockdown. When the nation’s borders closed and international attraction Hobbiton Movie Set made the decision to temporarily shut up shop, Bethany joined the throng of former staff who quickly set out to find new employment.

After picking up work in security and anything she could get her hands on that piqued her interest, Bethany landed a role as store manager at Chances Morrinsville where she’s been happily managing the New Zealand surf, skate and swimwear store since July.

“It was so much fun at Hobbiton, there were lots of us, I moved from hospitality to the gift store and met heaps of new people from New Zealand and overseas,” she said. “Then COVID came along and in March we were all suddenly out of a job but it felt ok because we were all in it together, so we supported each other and quickly started making plans,” she said. While many of her friends and co-workers had to leave town to find work, Bethany was glad to find a permanent role in the same district. “It’s been great, I’m very lucky,” she said.

Bethany joined Chances when the nation came out of Alert Level 4 and enjoyed the highs of the post-lockdown rush. “Everyone was just happy to be out and buying things, there was a real buzz in the air,” she said. Things have settled since but she anticipates it will pick up again with the warmer weather and in the lead up to Christmas. “Kiwis love slowly flicking through the racks of a good surf shop and dreaming of summer days,” she said.

Chances stock everything from boardshorts, t-shirts, jeans, hoodies, hats, swimwear, kids clothes and footwear. “We have heaps of fresh, spring stock that’s just come in,” said Bethany. “We’ve also got some really great stocking fillers like beach jewellery, jandals, slides and socks,” she said. “Pop by and see what we have, I’d love to help you find what you need”.

Chances Morrinsville is one of 13 locally-owned Chances NZ surf, skate and snow lifestyle stores, which are exclusive to Auckland, Waikato and the Coromandel.  They stock much-loved brand selections from Roxy, Hurley, Billabong, O'Neill, Element, Quiksilver, DC and lots more.