All the info for kite-boarding / kite-surfing, windsurfing & Standup Paddle Boarding (SUP) around Christchurch and Canterbury, New Zealand.
View from Sumner looking north up the coast towards New Brighton.
| Quick Overview of Local Kiteboard & Windsurf Locations. |  Kiteboard Accessability |
 Windsurf Accessability |
Tide | Wind Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estuary | Easy | Easy | Full/Half | NE-E-SE |
| Lyttelton Harbour (Naval Point & Charteris Bay). | Difficult | Easy sailing -Tricky launch | Any | NE-E-SE-SW |
| Brighton Beaches (Sth Shore to Nth Beach) | Easy-Low Tide Tricky-High Tide | Tricky | Any | N – NE – E – SE |
| Waikuku Beach | Easy | Easy | Any | NW-N-NE-E-SE-S-SW |
| Waikuku Estuary | Easy | Easy | Full | Any |
| Ellesmere (Lakeside Domain) | Easy | Easy | No Tide | Any |
| Sumner | Tricky | Tricky | Any | NW-N-NE-E-SE |
| Lake Coleridge (Ryton Bay & The Intake) | Ryton-Easy Intake-Difficult | Ryton-Easy Intake-Difficult | No Tide | Any |
| Lake Clearwater | Tricky | Easy | No Tide | Any |
Usefull links for weather, tides & wind info :
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Estuary
Wind directions: All wind directionsTide: 3 to 4 hours each tide.
Windsurfers beware – of kiters, know who has right of way . Keep clear of people learning , especially off kite point .
It can get crowded, know who has right of way.
Wind directions: North East to South East.Tide: 5 to 6 hours each tide.
Kiters beware -grass launch, be careful of the slippery ramp to get to the water. If you’re still learning, walk up wind to the point for safe down winders.
Dangers:
– STAY away from the road , Humphreys drive –
– Avoid show ponying in front of car park –bones have been broken. –
– Booties are advisable , especially at car park end – broken glass , shells etc.–
– It can get crowded, know who has right of way. –
-Live wind data – Lyttelton wind Wunderground.
– Up to date forecast – Metservice Windguru
– Tide details – Tides –
Estuary
Lyttelton Harbour & Charteris Bay
Charteris Bay Beginners to Advanced windsurfers , go round to Charteris Bay. Flatter
Wind directions: North East to South East. ( Southerly if you are desperate.)
Tide: Any tide.
Lyttelton harbour
Sumner
Dangers: DON’T SAIL BETWEEN THE SURF LIFESAVING FLAGS.
Outgoing tide can suck you very quickly.
Be very aware of other beach & water users. Wind directions: North West, Northerly, North East to South East.
Tide: 5 to 6 hours each tide. (low tides most fun & safest). Wind directions: North West, Northerly, North East to South East.
Tide: 5 to 6 hours each tide. (low tides most fun & safest).
Kiters beware – NW is gusty , can gust up very quickly so always leave yourself plenty of room downwind , can also drop off very quickly – don’t go miles off shore !
Sumner
Brighton Beaches
Dangers: Be careful of swimmers and DON”T SAIL BETWEEN THE SURF LIFESAVING FLAGS.
Wind directions: North to South Easterlies and Northerlies.Tide: Any tide.
Wind directions: North to South Easterlies and Northerlies.Tide: Any tide but the beach is very narrow at high tide. Launching & landing kites is difficult at high tide.
KITERS BEWARE – Please don’t launch kites directly in front of Surf clubs or leave kite line all over the beach.–
– Either use the car park to the North or walk along the beach a bit. –
– Brighton is an extremely popular beach for people to walk on so for the sake of continued access we need to be mindful of how we use the beach. –
Brighton Beaches
Northern Beaches – Pegasus/Waikuku
Waikuku Beach & estuary – Worth checking for all kiteboarders & windsurfing wave junkies. Ideal for Intermediates to Advanced .
How to get there – Turn off State Highway 1 to Waikuku Beach. Go Northern end of the settlement – Estuary is right there, beach is walking access.
Estuary works in all wind directions. Beware of debris in the water & the odd “rock bar”.
Best wave riding is up by the river mouth for waves & the estuary.
Best conditions
Estuary
– Tidal , good 1 1/2 hr either side of Hi Tide
– All winds & strengths.
Beach
– Easy launch when surf is small , but can get tricky with bigger surf .Has strong currents when the wind is up or surf is running. But waves by the river mouth can be worth the trip.
Westerly sucks…. dead off shore
Wind directions:
NW – cross off,
Northerly– side shore,
Easterly- onshore ,
Southerly- sideshore
Tide:
Good with incoming tide, Can be heavy shore break on outgoing tide.
Hi tide can produce wind shadow & strong side shore current.
Waikuku Estuary – All winds & strengths.
Kiters Beware – Don’t kite 2 hours either side of Low tide due to bird life….
Beach – Easy launch when surf is small , but can get tricky with bigger surf .Has strong currents when the wind is up or surf is running. But waves by the estuary mouth can be worth the trip.
Westerly sucks…. dead off shore
Wind directions:
N W – cross off,
Northerly– side shore,
Easterly- onshore ,
Southerly- sideshore
Dangers — WESTERLY – DEAD OFFSHORE –
– Any westerly wind (nw,w,sw) can strengthen rapidly or die just as quick, be aware of the conditions, & never kite alone
Tide:
Good with incoming tide, Can be heavy shore break on outgoing tide.
Hi tide can produce wind shadow & strong side shore current.
– Live wind data – Wunderground.
– Up to date forecast – Metservice Windguru
– Tide details – Tides –
Northern Beaches
Northern Beaches
Woodend, Waimak Bar, Pegasus, Ashworths
Northerly– side shore, Easterly- onshore, Southerly- sideshore
Usually in Easterly (NE to SE) wind. Well known by wind surfers but seldom used by kiteboarders, the beaches north of Christchurch offer some interesting wave riding opportunities.
Northern Beaches
Lake Ellemere
Best spot for windsurfing & kiting is Lakeside Domain, Timber Yard Point.
To get there go to Leeston ,then follow signs posted to Lakeside domain.
Wind directions: All wind directions, best in Southerly or North to North East for beginners.Wind directions: All wind directions, best in Southerly or North to North East for beginners.Tide: No tide – Waist deep in most places you’d kiteboard.
Kiters beware – Hidden posts & sticks all along edge of lake , so don’t show pony close too the shore.
– Stay up wind of the islands for safety if you’re worried about staying upwind.–
DANGERS – Big lake, kites have been lost here. Go with mates , don’t go solo , it is isolated.
-Live wind data – Lyttelton wind Wunderground.
– Up to date forecast – Metservice Windguru
– Tide details – Tides –
Lake Ellesmere
Lake Clearwater
Lake Clearwater – How to get there- Go south out of Christchurch towards Ashburton. Turn off at Rakaia (40min), follow sign posts to Mt Somers (50 min) , then follow signs to Lake Clearwater (20 mins). ( last 10 Kms is gravel road) simple….
Windsurfing –
Suitable for all levels – Great for learning when light, also amazing for high wind junkies. Great for speed sailing,slalom blasting , freestyle & hi-wind bump & jump
Kiting –
Best for intermediate to advanced kiters. Launching is tricky & conditions can get extreme very rapidly.
WATER – All your own water, lake is fresh water, but take your own drinking water…(beer etc)) – Nearest shop is 20 mins away..
TOYS – hi-wind gear, light wind gear / fishing rod+ License( lake has good stocks of trout ) /mountain bike, lots of good terrain / tramping boots / boat, Lake camp is good for wake boarding,waterskiing etc / plus any other out door toy.
CLOTHING – Shorts , t-shirts & bikinis Plus polar wear. Can be nice & warm , ALSO can be very damn cold. Has snowed many times in mid summer, be prepared………….
Lake Clearwater is a wild life reserve – READ the Signs
Dogs – no dogs allowed !!!!!!! Lake Rules……….
– No power boats on Lake Clearwater
– No kiting or sailing before 10am, this is fishing time……..
– Keep off the island And stay away from the roped off areas.
– Launch kites & windsurfers by the boat ramp, Stay away from the trees as this is a nesting ground.
Wind directions: All wind directions.North Westerly – Best hi wind conditions. Can be gusty and wind can easily get up to 35knts … often 50Knts + in summer. Nw can build very rapidly, always be aware of conditions.
Easterlies – Great flat water sailing at southern end of lake. Easterly can be very smooth, often in the 20 to 3oknt range.
Southerly – Similar to easterlies.
Westerly – Is gusty & offshore at camp site.
Northerly – Gusty, also gives some of the best jumping conditions.
Tide: No tide – fresh water, lake levels can vary over summer, lake is often frozen in winter.
North Westerly – Best hi wind conditions. Can be gusty and wind can easily get up to 35knts +… often 50Knts + in summer. Nw can build very rapidly, always be aware of conditions.
Southerly – Similar to easterlies.
Tide: No tide – fresh water, lake levels can vary over summer, lake is often frozen in winter
DANGERS – The wind can change in an instance. It gets very windy here , very big gusts can happen unexpectedly . experience is required. Go with mates , don’t go solo , it is isolated.
– Lake is surrounded by matagouri (thorn bushes), many a kite has been dealt to by these pricks.–
KITERS BEWARE – Stay away from the island, (it is the Bermuda Triangle of islands)- It is a nature reserve & does strange things with the wind
Lake Clearwater
