Hi

I'll be coming over in Jan, from the UK, for a month to suss out whether to move over permanently. All depends on the kitesurfing of course! Could you tell me which areas are the best overall i.e North v South islands, and which island has the best all-year-round conditions and wind etc? Also been studying the wind in NZ on Wind Guru; have I got it right that the prevailing wind is generally Westerly? Any other info also greatly received (like any jobs going?!)

Cheers, Rupert.

This should be interesting...

A good place to start is a little island off the east coast of Austrialia.
its all good.
It all depends on how much cold you can handle.

One wurd shuld sort dis owt >> Point Chevalier

word to ya mutha - north side is de best

Hey Rupert... here are some constructive answers to your questions.

Yes the wind is mostly westerly... not so much in summer but during winter and spring. I'm not even gonna say one thing about other parts of NZ other than Auckland.

As for Auckland you won't get turned on too much during Jan. The breezes are mostly light, mostly Sea Breezes that vary in strength depending on where you are... the wrong beach... you'll get no wind, the right beach may serve up 25 knots. There are the odd days however where the SW will CRANK and Shakespear Bay north of the city will be MINT. Otherwise it may blow hard from the NE and then you'll have a many a beach to choose from.. Orewa being the most popular. For Sea Breezes you are best off out in the Manukau Harbour... you will come to know these places once you actually come here. However Auckland's a year round kiting spot that never get's too cold and nearly every day has winds strong enough to kite in... and every direction and water terrain is covered and there are backup beaches for every setup.

Oh yes and one more thing Rupert... Jobs.....

You could come and work where i work at Maccas.... work in the morning, kite in the arvo, just don't do what I have done and work in the evo!!

Hello

Im one of the Swdish team riders for slingshot and I am coming down to NZ in Mars 2004. Is there any stores or clubs in Aukland, also other places in NZ where you guys meet up before kitesessions ? I dont know about spots in NZ so I realy would like to join you guys. ???

Help the swedish !!

/Melker

We generally just meet at the beach.... it's all by chance really but out east we try to organize sessions as much as possible via cellphones etc.

For kitespots you could check out the locations section in this forum... or you could check out my website http://www.geocities.com/blownawaykitesurfing for the ever growing list of good kiteboarding beaches in Auckland.

As for kiting during March.... the number of NE winds is quite high then. this of course brings variable wind strengths... not the usual consistant 20-30 knot WSW we get most other times of the year. It's a warm month too and a great time for learning as the crowds are starting to disperse from the main beaches but bring a big kite.

Thanks Blownaway, nice 2 c the newy hospitality alive and well. May be c u about, look out for a big English bloke with a couple of 04 slingys. Also I've just been reading a post on kiteforum.com which says that taranaki area is a no goer if your just an average rider, is this true? Thanks again mate.

That last post was mine I forgot to sign in.Cheers

I've never been to the Taranaki but judging from what everyone else says it's a great wavesailing spot for windsurfers with huge waves and strong gusty winds.... in my opinion that translates into a great spot to learn kitesurfing............................................................................................................................ NOT!!!!!

I'm plannin a trip down there sometime but I'm not gonna bank on a session but just to see the place as it's a world class windsurfing area. Waves don't really appeal to me to be honest at the moment. I'm more interested in kiting Christchurch's poo pond... now that DOES sound appealing as i can stuff my face beforehand and not worry about shitting my wetsuit as no-one will notice :twisted:

Thanks again blownaway, whats this about poo-pond, I'm planning on going to Christchurch as well so any imformation about this would be great.While your about it you know any good shops in Aukland/New Zealand I could get spare's or imformation from.Cheers Rupert

Hey Rupert I've never been to Christchurch... well i have but not to kite. The poo pond is the nickname given to the Christchurch Estuary. THere is a webcam located at the Estuary. Go to http://www.windsurf.co.nz and you will find a link that takes you to the pic of the Estuary. There used to be a windmeter at the beach but the Underground factory fire I think destroyed the windmeter as well. This spot gets great Sea Breezes during the summer and the water is flat... but as stated before I've never kited there but others who have say the same thing and it is the main kiteboarding spot in Christchurch.

Hey Rupert fancy a kite session today man? It's rainin cats and dogs outside here in Auckland and no wind... perfect kiting weather... NOT :twisted:

your waisting your time you kook

give it up give up