Im heading to Rotorua for christmas.....anyone ever kited on the lake there? Cheers

Hey Dude,

I shifted down from Auckland about 8 months ago to Rotorua and get out on the lake regulary, Best ( smoothest wind) direction is sw either at Hanahas bay or preferably in the ohau channel at the other end of the lake.(the smoothest) The Ohau channel is shallow for a couple of ks out to Mokia is, The launch is tight and needs a straight onshore (sw) to work .It is trickey solo, but not undoable, Fine with assistence.

Hanahs bay in a south west is cross on going straight cross in a westerly but becomes more gusty. The N N/w, Ne also works at Hanahs bay but I usually head over to Tauranga, papamoa,Makatu or pukahina(NW,N,NE,e) (about 45 min) for some swell and saltwater action. (heaps of crew over that way)

Don't forget Taupo ! Cranking swell when its been blowing s/w .w for a while. Bluie and now some locals getting out their regulary so keep an eye out for kiters on a windy day and you will find the spot.(50 min)

Lake tarawera works in s but can be hellishly gusty !

The launch at Hanahs is the easiest with beach and plenty of grass between you and hard objects.

The other launchs require perfect wind direction for a solo launch, Some HELL gusts come through sometimes so asistence helping you launch and land makes life more enjoyable.

Most kiting areas of the lake are pretty shallow so you can usually let your kite go if there nobody to catch it at the end of the session.

There is 1 other regular kiter down here apart from me and may be 2-3 people learning although ive never seen them out. It can be fickle down here with the conditions sometimes but if you get things right a quality session can be had.

If you kite at Hannahs your ment to contact the airport but ive had about 30 seshes there and never bothered, A kite leash is a good idea though as letting your kite go into a turboprop probably wouldn't go down to well !

Raglan is 2 and a bit hours away also.

Iam heading north at christmas then to Gisbourne so won't be around but if you want to know any more specifics just post here.

Cheers Peter

Cheers Peter. Excellent to get some good advise. hopefully ill get in a few good sessions then...ill keep an eye out for the planes!
pablo