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For informed wind & kite travel advice contact Annie Crombie on 03 355 1681 or email acrombie@hot.co.nz

Location Location Location in Canterbury

Keep safe with the Windsports RESPONSIBILITY Code

Christchurch Estuary: Area Specific Kite Guidelines

• Windsurf Area, Humphries Drive (NE).
  Kite launch area is at the north end of the windsurf area car park. If you're learning and can't ride upwind, then launch at Sandy Point to give yourself a good downwind safety margin, and please don't venture beyond the blue buoy to avoid clashes with windsurfers and yachties.
  

Estuary kite & windsurf area

Christchurch Beaches: Area Specific Guidelines

• South Brighton (N to NE).
  Landboarders and buggies, designated area is south of the surf club to the mouth of the estuary. Water based riders can rig up at the Bellamy Street carpark, then launch and move offshore as soon as possible.

• North Beach (N to NE).
  Rig up north of the surf club buildings - launch and move offshore as soon as possible.

• Sumner/Estuary Mouth (NE to NW).
  Watch out for strong tides.

• Waikuku (SW to SE & N to NE)
  Waikuku is a special spot, with strong conservation values and birdlife. Please be careful out there, and if riding in the lagoon keep to the southern end and river mouth.

Butter smooth lagoon on one side, beach and waves on the other.

Canterbury Lakes:

• Lake Ellesmere, access at Lakeside Domain near Leeston (SW, NW, & NE).

Lakeside Domain looking east in a dying SW.

• Lake Aviemore, (NE).
  North shore - at Waitangi Station - covered in trees so not great for kite launching.
  South shore - lone pine? west of the cliffs - reasonable access for kites.

Aviemore looking east towards Waitangi Station (flagged).

• Lake Colleridge, Ryton Bay (NW & SE).

Ryton Bay - it's not always this smooth (pics taken in a SE/offshore wind).

• Lake Clearwater (NW & NE).
  Lake Clearwater is 50 km west of Mount Somers. Sailing hours 9am till 9pm. Wind can range from 10 to 50+ knots. Bring all your small sails if Norwest winds forcast.
  
  Show Weekend Camp (Friday, Saturday, Sunday): There is a camping area by the lake, but NOT in the rigging/launching area past the trees/through the gate. You must BYO drinking water, food etc as the nearest shop is at Mount Somers. No dogs or motor cycles, while the use of mountain bikes is restricted on private land around the lakes. This is an alpine area so be prepared for all weather - it has been known to snow here at Show Weekend (it's also been known to be very nice). There is a hall which the CWA usually books for Friday and Saturday nights.

Camp Clearwater and launch area (it's small).

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