Hey guys what is the difference between these 2 places?

Would you guys recommend one spot over the other?

What wind and tides do these spots work in? Which place has better quality wind?

I don't mind driving a bit.

What's the scene like at these 2 places? Any kickass riders who regularily kite at these spots?

thanx heaps

It takes 1.5 hrs driving from ANABATIC to either Pile road WEST Ruakaka or PH in South Auckland. just depends on whats closer to you.

Shoal bay is central, more tidal limitations as it's a Tide in spot only.
But if you launch off the grass at Bayswater you get low tide action at Shoal bay covered too.
Shoal bay is mirror flat water, and learners and advanced riders are split, advanced riders sit behind the sand bar and learners in front.
Seems to work well.

Meola reef on the other side of the bridge is well worth trying on a low tide.
TXT wind before you head out as judging the wind from the carpark is impossible. Bit of a walk to the water but really nice riding.
W-sw W NW winds covered really sweet.

Ah yes - Pyle Road West - the classic Ruakaka Westly spot. Great riding in a shallow water bay. However parking at Pyle Road is OK for all of two cars before there is no where to turn around.

The locals all park at Karoro Rd another 500m along One Tree Point Rd (those that don't live above the beach that is).

This area is great at low tide, but at high tide has almost no where to rig up - the tide comes up right to the cliffs. There is a small patch of sand at Pyle Road which can be used to rig/launch, but its for experienced kiters only. As it is the place has really bad short chop at full tide so most don't bother.

Best wind direction is West = cross onshore, SW is side shore but comes over a mountain = very gusty.

This summer we have had 4-5 days a week of ridable days at Karoro Rd - awesome! We heading out there again today...

Anyone after a weather report for Ruakaka drop me a txt on 021 654 149.

Cheers,

DK

shoal bay is heaps better than pine harbour,
if your unlucky at pine harbour you will probably get a pie chucked at your car windscreen .
it sucks ass , not worth the drive , locals are unfriendly.
:twisted:

what ever bro, what planet you from ph is way better, you can kite both tides, nice kiting at the flat islanD end to!!!!! locals arent friendly!!!!

theres only a couple locals that kite there, pie on windscreen

whateever bro1!! :shock:

I AGREE PH WAY BETTAH U CAN KITE BOTH TIDES AN AT MID TIDE U CAN GO 2 FLAT ISLAND WITH A MEAN FLAT WATER SPOT PLUS PH U CAN KITE IN NORTHELY NW W SW S

"not worth the drive"??, shoal is takes twice as long to get to, thru traffic too, nd ph noooo crowds

lol , you ladies are far too easy to wind up , i ain't seen no gansta fag locals at ph lately though.
:roll:
no crowds blair , we'll have to wait and see about that one.

:shock: all up to the rider at the end of the day dpnds what you like the most but id prefer pine harbour, waters probably cleaner two cos you dont get all the gutter wash frm auckland city yum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i prefer shoal but it can b challenging, pine has better water quality, as 4 the locals we all that...

that flat water section at flat island mid tide is very overated! it lasts for an hour at the most and is too small and shallow. flat island is good for only one thing.... wind quality, better than PH if the wind is proper (ie not rain or heat affected). That ain't hard though. PH wind quality is usually pretty bad, affected by rain and heat it can do some crazy things. People from up north think shoal bay and shakers are gusty..... until they kite at PH.

yea man how was it the other day it was sooooo gusty u ould bearly jump cos you would fall out of the sky lol

Hey Brock that was a steady breeze by PH standards. 90% of the days i've kited at PH are gustier than that.

dude are u serious :!: :?: :!: :?: lol man i must go there in that 10% everytime haha

no shit sherlock i've been kiting there for over 4 years now and believe me you can get some pretty horrendous shit at that spot.

Even if it real windy it will still lull to under 15 knots.. despite gusting to 35.. and that's still classified as steady out here.

Some days i've had it lull to under 5 and then a 25 knot gust will come tearing through with a 90 degree wind shift. 5 to 25 isn't uncommon in summer thermal mess (sea breeze fights the SW).

yeah that gust that hit when we were rigging was a bearch, sorry bout da dodgy launch no wonder my kites are fucked

hahahaha yeah launching a kite on land like you would on the water especially at PH will equal lots of gaffa tape etc. PH and flat island are real nasty spots for trashing gear. PH wrecks boards, flat island wrecks kites.... and kitERS hahahahahahahaha.

PH KITE GANGSTER i'm off to PH real soon for the high tide. Wind looks pretty good too and it's overcast so hopefully not too badly heat affected windwise.

Interested to see if Charl keeps up with da play once he goes to WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.