Hi,

I am going to NZ in november. I would like to know where is the best place, around auckland, for living and kitesurfing. I wish go to the beach after my work and ride immediatly (this is my dream). But, i think that is easier for me to live near a good spot (ie: nice waves,big place). What are your advices?

PS: I have not a job in NZ today, but i would like to improve my language and after find a job in Metrology.

Have good ride.

There are a number of places to live in Auckland that provide quick access to the water. However, in November (summer) its generally sea breezes that are the most prominent source of wind. Thus anywhere near the coast is ideal. You may want to find accommodation close to your place of work as traffic can sometimes be a bit of a headache. The North Shore of Auckland provides a number of places to kite during a sea breeze but can be a pain to access Auckland City if thats where you work.

November is Auckland's windiest month on the Manukau Heads beacon. Since that is the windiest beacon in Auckland and the first to get the prevailing WSW winds that's a good indicator as to what the general wind setup is. Basically summer doesn't really start until January. This year (05/06 summer) La nina sorta rearranged things a tad and we had a pretty light November and a kickass January. You've picked the right time to come over... a couple of months later and the thermals start and things can get tricky. November rocks for kiting in ak!!

THe traffic will drive you crazy so best to work close to home and live close to the west coast. West coast rulz during november. big waves, lots of wind, no crowds and great kiting. Just watch those 4wds. I've found North shore areas (west coast included) to be TONNES more suited to frontal isobaric winds than sea breezes!! The beaches there are big and open and during summer can get PACKED. Last year was a freak occurance in November, lots of sea breeze days so nowhere near as good as normal. November is normally quite windy with nearly every peaking at over 20 knots.

Alternatively you can head over to east auckland where there is a brilliant bunch of guys who are mostly intermediates, a large number of beginners and a few young fellas who are showing big potential. In addition to this there will usually be less than 10 of us at a perticular spot.

If the isobars cease and the thermals start we have it all covered out east. no crowds, no swimmers and 15 knots of wind. If the wind blows hard it can get gusty out eastside but the waroo has that all covered.

You can gimme a PM and i can give ya a rundown of the known and lesser known spots in the auckland area.

Just for the sceptics that think you can't work and kite in Auckland without swearing at other drivers. I work from 4am to midday, live just down the road from work and if it's windy (most of the time) I page the crew and we are off to the beach. There are a few of us that have the arvos free over here. I never have to battle traffic to get to my local spots.

enjoy your stay!!

Tkank you for your answers.

I begin to prepare my arrival in NZ. I think that conditions in Auckland are suitable for a real kitesurfing.Thus, I hope seriously improve my level in kitesurfing (unhooked, strapless...)

See U soon.