Hey all,

Ive been in the UK for the last 5 years, heading back to NZ for the summer and maybe longer, just wondering where the best kiting spots are south of the Bombays. Ill be based in Wanganui, have wheels tho and willing to drive. Is there any kiting in Taupo? Ive heard foxton is pretty decent?

Im 85kg and ride a 138 Cabrinha Icon, flying the new 12m Switchblade 2. Still a rookie really. Is that kite goona cut it for local conditions?

It'd be great to hear from abny of you ot there - id love to meet up with some local kiters when i get back too. Heading to the Mount for New Years as well - anyone from there?

cheers,

Stray.

I will be around that area this summer, I cannot give you any information though. I too will be getting newly acquainted with the BOP. I am moving to Tauranga for work for one year. How big is the crew down there....what do we need to know? Looking forward to meetin' a few people. Anybody want to chime in?

Read on if you are bored...

The area I am from is SE Michigan. Home of the Great Lakes and the lesser known Lake St Clair which is a large shallow watershed to Lakes Erie and Huron. The local conditions on St Clair near Detroit create a unique lifty wind where the top-shelf is usually 5-10 knots stronger than water-level. This lake has an average depth of 7 feet with miles and miles of shallow sweet water flats. It also straddles the US/Canada border which gives it a nice international edge. Spring and Fall blow hard and summer is sporadic. Winter is basically time to snowkite unless you are mad, have a drysuit, and St Clair isn't frozen. The seasons are of course reversed with respect to NZ.

Waves are non-existent on St Clair but Lakes Michigan and Huron can be overhead if it is Nuking. A treat, considering there is no ocean anywhere in the region.

We of course deal with many of the same issues I see being discussed about the Auckland area...ie protecting beaches and safety concerns. A recent tragedy actually resulted in the death of a local rider. This was a crushing blow and affected us all. It has also raised awareness to a new level. Anyways, it is interesting to see so many parallels on the other side of the world. AC