Fellow shredders, there is a small groundswell of interest building in a far-north kiting adventure over the xmas/new years break. After hearing of Lance's and others great experiences at the top of the Nth Island, myself, Kavae and others are planning to take tents, kites, booze, and other accessories on a bit of a tour to the winterless north. Am currently planning on leaving Auckland 27th December and returning whenever the funds run out. Places of interest are Rangiputa (Rangaunu Harbour), Karikari beach (maybe there for New Years? - not sure if the camp will require booking ahead for that time of the year), Tokerau Beach in Doubtless Bay, Taupo Bay just a bit further south, maybe Ruakaka beach/ Whangarei harbour on the way up there, and others as the wind dictates. Ocean Beach at Bream Head looks like it has great promise (but the weather would have to be promising to go that far out of the way).

I figure it will be a hoot if dozens of kiters are sifting around up there over the same period, maybe congregating at the various spots as wind and hangovers dictate, and generally causing a nuisance and putting on a show for the locals. I can't be phaffed actually organising anything official in terms of timings and accommodation, but figure if there are a lot of dudes and dudesses interested in heading in the same direction, we'll get a sort of kiting road show going for a week or two. Failing that, our small group will no doubt have fun and return with plenty of lies about how good we are.

The more the merrier.
Brad

sounds good bradley. i'm planning a mission in the opposite direction to taranaki over the same period (it's always a hell of a good time down there over summer).

if you guys get bored, sunburnt, beaten up by locals or find yourself with too much booze to get through, maybe we'll see you down in the naki for a sidetrip.

I can't say much for kitesurfing Karikari beach other than it is an awesome looking spot. After taking a spin with Perrin in the 4X4 trekking after Gavin and seeing some large marine mammal and shark corpses on the beach everyone was a little carefull of the water there :O) Tokerau beach was similar to an Orewa sesh on a much larger beach. Houhora harbour was a blast except for the stormy conditions that saw a few of us returning from the sandspit in some dire need of assitance(read boat rescue for citizens flowing out to see :O) We spent the last day on 90mile and it was big. Big waves, big wind and sick flat water speed between breaks.

Ruakaka and Waipu cove is just brilliant. White beaches, turquoise waters and nice afternoon wind sessions.

Best bet is to try get a hold of Aaron Rhodes if he's up there for the holidays to show you the spots and he has a small boat for when things get drastic.

I'll be there for the last 2 weeks of Jan. Rangiputa and the Karikari penninsula are fantastic. Had 2 weeks last year up there, a couple of days on an 8m the rest 16m plus a few still days to earn family points. Dont bring too many with you dude, we dont want this place gettin too well known. The Bay of Islands crew seem to have discovered it long ago.
Slyde

If these are secret spots - I will not tell anyone you can be sure of that!

I told people about kiting in the Kaipara Harbour once and now about 2 people (maybe more!) know about that being possible, and it was not even me that told one of them.

I may take up surfing though as I hear it has become even more sociable than kiting in the lineup - particularly at your most popular local point break - on a head high clean offshore saturday morning!

David Brent

Hey Brad, Me and the missus will be up there from the 24th, We camped at KariKari Beach camp last year (Didnt book) Staying at HiHi this year.
We will be taking the boat out to the sand bars at Rangiputa if the SSW, S blows.
Quite happy to ferry a few people out if we see you there.

Hi Kitesmurf, Brad and anyother kite crazed northland pilgrims of the wind,

I've got a few days booked at Rangiputa from the 24th Dec, If Santa's kind he'll bring a fresh SW breeze for a christmas sesh, And any sign of an easterly and its an easy 5 mins to Tokerau.

keen to catch up with fellow kiters in the area, drop me a line: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or look out for me wherever the wind might be blowing, or the beer flowing...

Cheers

Howsit Lance

My ball and chain and I are also at Hihi on the 24th, we both fly G Arcs (Peter Lynn) kites.
So we will prob see you one way or another.

Am still planning on the northward jaunt (although no further pre-planning has occurred apart from the purchase of a tent), but the rumour is that Raglan could be worth a look on the 27th Dec. Gavin informs me there is a 'big surf day-out' or some such happening - loads of holiday-makers and booze and music - and high tide is approx 2pm. If the wind is looking anywhere near inviting, it could be worth a push for the day/night.

Hey Lance are you still gonna head up there?

Brad,

We could start at Raglan then head to Tauranga for a few days before heading up north. Either way the ten is ready as are the kites. Lets go get some!!!

Turns out the dates I found on the net differ from Gav's info:

27th The Soundshell Napier
28th The Outdoor Theatre Gisborne
29th Western Bay Finance Stadium the Mount
30th Raglan Area School Raglan


featuring: "Beach Day Out 03" Nesian Mystik, Zed, Scribe, Brooke Fraser, Golden Horse, Augustino and the WBC.

for those heading north, i have added some new locations>northland supplied by brett scott a.k.a kitesmurf on his least worst spots in the region.

he says he gets out in every direction and seems to have a handle on the area.

Dudes we are going down to Lake Taupo for 28-30 and then heading up to Tokerau from the 30 Dec - 3 Jan

Question
1. Were is a good rigging area on Lake Taupo ? What wind direction works there?

2. We are trying to find a cheap spot up in Tokerau bay. We would camp however we have a 4 month old baby girl.. Big tent would be fine. If any one knows of a good B@B or motel please let me know.

Laters

taupo kitesurfing.....the fresh water experience is choice....

the place to go is "wharewaka point" it is on the way south out of town SH1 on the way to the airport, you hit the 100k zone and you'll see the turn off, when you turn off follow the road to the left, all the way to the end and the point itself. thats your launch....

its only a go in a SW, SSW from my exp. a good thang to do is call the taupo airport and ask them for the wind report (they think you a pilot, and you are of course....).....its a reasonably easy launch, but you only get one shot at it then in the water and onyour way for some cleaner air.

when your on your reach back in towards the point you can come into the bay behind the point and flat water for the big boosts.....great for spectators.....and good for you if you dont mind crashing and burning in front of crowds.....

if the wind is light you can downwind to the main beach-lakefront....might need a catch waiting for you.....all in all a choice spot on a good day....

if you dump your kite make sure you wind the lines in b4 you get close to shore.....other wise it's hang the lines out to let the weeds dry time...

i'm there for a couple of days over xmas, orange/white x3 18 unless its windy enough for the 14......

Shot for the info.. X3

If the wind is blowing i will be on a yellow slingshot (17) or Blue Naish (12 meter).

Lets hope the rain stops !!