wonder if anyone could help me out but where could i learn in the B.O.P

thanks

go see the guys at assualt in the mount, they do gear and lessons

hey mate if you're near Ohope beach I kitesurf there every day there's enough wind. If your in the area and want to learn more about the sport I'm more than happy to give you an intro, tell you a bit about it. I do suggest Assault at Mt Maunganui for proper lessons once your committed you want to start the sport. (which you definately will be after seeing it)

Reuben

Hi guys

I'm a migrant from The Netherlands moving to NZ later this year. I think about living in the Whakatane area. What are conditions like, is it also windy in winter? And is there any waveriding?
I have F-one boards (Style 139 and Sk8 128) and kites (Dream 8 and 12, Mach III 16)

Thanks for your replies

Hi "Flying Dutchman". I live at Ohope, 5min from Whakatane, and know a bit about the area. During summer there is always sea breezes, usually pick up around 1-2pm and average around 15 knots, less if pressure-induced wind has any south in it, but if isobars show northly winds, it's guaranteed to be kite-able.

Ohope beach has direct onshores with a N-NE wind, almost all this summer it's been NWers which have been cross onshore, pretty consistent but a bit gusty as hills are nearby behind where I kitesurf.
Wave riding for sure, Ohope likes N to NE swell best, ground swell all the better. With NW winds I go out over the waves jumping over each one (going left), then head back in riding the waves (going right). NW is definately my favourite wind direction for Ohope.

Ohiwa Harbour is where to go whenever the wind has any south in it. Best on a high tide, it offers huge expanses of clean smooth water. I've only kited there twice as not many southerlies during the summer but both times had super consistent 20knot winds, powered as a mother on my 12m.

And the best part?

Myself and one other form the total population of kitesurfers in a 50m radius of Whakatane. The nearest I've ever seen anyone would be Mount Maunganui, 100km up the coast, quite a crowd there I'm told, friendly as and a good store too - Assault. I'm sure there's plenty more uptapped spots around the area but I'm content with Ohope and Ohiwa, as the combination are kite-able in any direction and crowd-free.

Any questions just yell.
Actually best you type rather than yell..

chow

Reuben

Thanks for your information. This is good news for me as I was not sure if there was any kitesurfing in your area.

See ya at the water one day!

Jasper