I don't know how many of you have the same problem, but I have been getting some serious withdrawal symptoms from not having been able to kiteboard for about 2 months now.

Where is the wind? Can winter really be so crap that there is no sailable wind in Auckland, or am I just looking in the wrong places?

Are there any places not too far from the Northshore where the wind sometimes blows ok in winter?

What is Manly Beach like in a wintery Northwester? I don't mind the cold, just want some sailable wind. I never know what the conditions are like on that side as (1) the live wind report for Orewa has not been working for a while now, and (2), getting tired of driving all the way to the spot to find the wind id no good. Wild goose chases only add to the frustration.

Also, what is Orewa like this time of the year? How can I find out if the wind is blowing there?

Come on summer, come on!!!!

All I can say is I sympathise with you down here in CHCH, it's been nothing but gusty offshores all autumn/winter.

Am hoping to try a field that's pretty big next chance I get...

i'm confused... is your post serious or sarcastic!?!?!?!? or are you just confined in a windowless box? lOl

its windy season in auckland, it has been epic!!!!! (sorry ChCh)so many 5m, 6m and 8m sessions lately i've lost count.

2 months, man that sucks!!!
theres been a fair amount of westerly's lately, why dont you try coming back over the bridge,pt chev was around 25 knots on sunday, or use google earth to find a spot on the manakau, its always windy there!!
good luck getting a ride mate!!!

Certainly no lack of wind in Wellington...Its been southerly after southerly down here. Bloody cold but!

Well if you get really desperate get yourself a light and you could always try night SUP and Kiting.

Videos from some recent sessions are on the Session Logs links bellow

Night Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Night Kiting

quality! lol

The night kiting and SUP looks awesome.

I would be a bit nervous. In my home country the Johnies with the grey jackets and triangular teeth are very attracted to the light. LOL!

Cheers

Instead of being cocky about it, why don't you share some info on where all these 5, 6 and 8m spots are??

hey again kitey
you should look at windguru, thats normally pretty accurate with whats going on.
why dont you try murawai next time theres a westerly, that place is mean!!!!
you should do some research on the manakau, theres some epic spots in that harbour, clean wind and flat water!!!!
sniff is right, there has been heaps of wind lately, but lets be honest everybody wants there own spot with no crowds!!!! you just have to go out and find one!!!
i feel sorry for any one that hasnt been out in 2 months, so if your keen to try a spot i found on the manakau next time theres a SW let me know, hopefully we can solve your lack of riding time!!!!!

Thanks Mike. I will definitely make use of your offer.

If I am judging Swellmap, Marineweather and Windguru correctly, I may get lucky with some easterly wind on the weekend, otherwise I may just take a trip to Ruakaka.

great advice mike12m! get out there and get your session!

Yeah I did spot a nice fish crusing around while I was out there. Thought it would be cool to take a fishing line next time.

In terms of weather forecasts I have ford the Predictwind site pretty accurate in combination with other sources such as Windguru and Metservice. http://predictwind.com

If you want to check out kite spots around Auckland and the rest of the country then take a look at Session Logs. Many of the sessions are from Windsurfers the spots are similar.
www.sessionlogs.com

Hey mate, I get all jumpy if i go without kiting for two weeks, let alone two months!!!!!!
Definatly try out Muriwai the next time the wind is blowing a westerly. Its always pretty nice, smooth wind as its coming straight off the sea.

Cheers for that.

Looks like there is going to be plenty easterly wind this weekend. Hopefully not too strong for my one and only 12m Switchblade....

hey kitey
i wish you the best of luck, was looking at the marine forecast on sky and its saying it will get up 50 knots saturday afternoon, and remain that for sunday then drop to 25-30 on monday!!!!
i wish i was brave enough to try that kind of wind on a 12, but hey at least your wind drought will be over!!!!

Yeah, but then again the forecasts are not always correct. I am hopeful they will be wrong.

Only problem is Metservice, Windguru, Marineweather and Swellmap are all saying the same thing....

I can always hope the wind blows a fairly constant 20 knots instead.

Cheers

Has anyone got a 6m kite which I can borrow for the weekend???

(I'd have to be very lucky to get that one right)

Pity we can't safely sail at night. It is now 12am and the wind is blowing a constant 16 to 17 knots at Orewa...

www.wakeboardingmag.com/article/Features/Excavator-Cable-Park
Report from a team rider in California. Not cheap or perhaps environmentally friendly but possible solution to lack of kiteboarding??

Ha-ha-ha!

Yeah, I must admit, even the thought of having one of those pools with the fans on the side, which they do indoor windsurfing on, has crossed my mind.

You would need a bloody high roof though for kitesurfing though!

Awesome! Maybe we should all put in some money and buy one...