Just returned from a gucci session at Glenbrook Beach (near the steel mill - SW end of the Manukau Harbour. For Jaffas like myself looking for an away trip not too far from the big smoke (70km from Devonport), this spot has got to be considered. Good for 3 hours either side of high tide, flatter water than Shoal Bay for a given wind speed, quite smooth wind(SW to W is best - also takes NW), loads of wind from thermal action, shallow up to a couple of hundred meters out, grassy area to pump up, a small beach for self launching. Word is this place cranks during the summer. I got a solid 15+ knots while the rest of Auckland appeared less inspiring.

Get off the southern motorway at Drury, head west on the main road until you get to the Glenbrook steel mill turnoff, follow the signs to Glenbrook Beach, turn up Beach Rd and get into it.

Sounds great Brad....will check it out one day! :wink:

P.S. you'd have to time it with the traffic if you we're coming from the far north of the bridge

Hey there.
I've been wondering about this spot for ages, have been out and recced it on a no-wind day. Watch-out for the river mouth into the harbour end of the beach, I've heard the current is really strong. It comes from the Waiuku inlet and fare churns out as the tide changes.
Looking forward to getting out there sometime. It appears GB is the only access to this side of the Manukau Harbour apart from the boat ramp at Karaka - I've been down all the roads and it's all farm land except for the Marae.

Mark and I (also Mike was there too) went out to Pine Harbour today. Somewhat light to start at 1300pm, then it really started to crank and was 20-25kts in the end with good wind blown waves. I came in after 2 and 1/2 hours feeling tired and elated. It seemed the dynamics around the rocks (the breakwater part of the harbour (where the tree's are)) changed dramatically today. Usually in light winds you can place your kite nearby to use the compression as the wind goes up and over them however this was very noticable today from as far away as 50 meters from the rocks - I could feel myself being sucked towards them - needless to say I kept well away! :shock:

Hey Brad the thermal action by the Heads is wicked. I've kited at Huia before (on the northern side of the heads) in one of those thermal only days and it was 15-20 knots... the awhitu meter only read on that day 10-15 knots and last summer that meter was getting to 25 on a thermal day (making it 30+ at Huia!)... so around the heads it can boy crank in a thermal. This year we have yet the see the Manukau properly deliver... the Eastside has been more than ample though from the north however.

By the way I'm super keen on checking out Glenbrook... hey is it a part of Clarks Beach? I'm also thinking while out that way trying out Hamilton's Gap... that's where the Awhitu (Manukau) windmeter is located. The Manukau Harbour is a great place to kite.. a lot smoother winds than many other beaches in Auckland.

Hey Scott how was the wind after I left? It started getting really really good at the end there, classic filled in Pine Harbour, majic stuff. how did mike get on... did he use his 16 or his 9?

It's separate from Clarks Beach and is well signposted.

In terms of safety, the trick appears to be to stay away from the outlet end of the 'estuary' - shouldn't be too hard, there is loads of water to play with. I'm informed that Mako's live around the other side of the northern headland so was not tempted to head that way anyway.

Yeah when I kiting at Huia i had the occasional glance around... but heck if it's Makos it's not worth bothering as they are so fast that you can't outrun em anyhow even if you did see one :wink:

... the outside of the north side of the heads.... you mean Whatipu? I've allways wondered about that place... a big drive over bumpy road, a big walk through swampland before you get to an immensely open beach...

There was plenty of wind at Glendowie as well. Boy was it gusty though. I dropped in waiting for the wind to return and got lifted up 6 feet and gently landed full planning without moving my 13m guerilla from zenith. First time I've been lofted like that and can see how dangerous it can be if on land. Never even gave my release a thought although I was 200m off the shore. There must have been a fair bit of Westerly in it.

Jim

Yeah it was pretty westerly at Pine Harbour.... i encountered a 90 degree wind shift (common at Pine Harbour in those thermal pre filling in conditions). Hey ARCPROF I'm about to head off to Bramley to meet up with Scott. Mite have a play with the 8.5 C Quad... got the SW covered as well as if it swings northerly Sea Breeze.... tide's perfect... come on down man....



rust in pieces...
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mint seshwon and no invite, very un boned dude ! :shock: :?

Where did you go? Hey has anyone had any luck with the wind today? Perhaps that glenbrook place should be checked out today as the Ahwitu meter is the only one showing any decent wind... but looks too westerly for Huia... does Glenbrook pick up westerlies? It was better this morning before the East coast Thermal got going and spoiled the Souwester


rust in pieces...
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Did someone say waves at Pine Harbour? Is that the inland harbour inlet on the east coast of Auckland? The harbour completely surrounded by land with no open sea :?:

Yeah that's the one Lance.... wind blown waves are also known as "chop". We are not talkin about genuine surf here. Ok then one more thing in regards to Glenbrook. What is it like in strong winter/spring 35 knot westerlies?

If you are watching Awhitu station there is often 5 knots more sweeping down the west side of the harbour giving good sailing at armour bay or laingholm... bit hard to get out unless it is half tide down to low... otherwise there is a bit of a paddle involved and only water launch!

Yep gotta give those spots a go as well....

We need to hook up some crew sessions guys...



rust in pieces...
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I've just checked that spot out on the map. It's in the Waiuku river..... could be interesting... hey Scott ya keen on heading out there one day?