Wellington, New Zealand

> 10 years ago
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ikw777
ikw777
QLD
2995 posts
QLD, 2995 posts
24 Apr 2009 9:55am
At Christmas I had ten days in Wellington with the inlaws. I didn't sail myself, but I made sure to check out the local conditions whenever I could. They seem to sail every day over there. It was almost always windy enough. These pics are from a spot called Plimmerton, which I think is their main wavesailing spot in a northerly. It's a huge area with long regular swells and convenient beaches etc. Long summer days mean they sail till 8.30 pm and beyond. Later in this day we went to the local pub for dinner and I could still see them out there from the pub, sailing while I was having kiwi beer and steak.

These are probably pretty dull photos, but you can see what a great spot they have.











evlPanda
evlPanda
NSW
9207 posts
NSW, 9207 posts
24 Apr 2009 10:15am
ikw777 said...
These are probably pretty dull photos, but you can see what a great spot they have.


... except for one, bone chilling thing.

I just got back from a week on the South Island myself. Stayed at Lake Ohau. There were 2 days of "smoke on the water".

Below is a photo I took of the lake with no wind, in January 07. (I'd add the smoke ones but my portable HD is kaput). NZ is like an older, colder, windier Hawaii. The lakes are coloured by the minerals and are almost glow-in-the-dark turquoise.


Mid Summer's day.


Not 'shopped!

Brett Morris
Brett Morris
NSW
1204 posts
NSW, 1204 posts
24 Apr 2009 11:05am
I grew up in Wellington and can can testify to the quality of windsurfing conditions, specifically Plimmerton.
The 2nd photo clearly shows, southern ocean in at back ground which is where the wind funnels in from. You can also see the huge sand bar that breaks in the middle of the bay, which is directly in the middle of 2 beaches, ie if you can't gibe, you just sail from one beach "fall off and turn around" and sail back to the other beach...Special.
stehsegler
stehsegler
WA
3571 posts
WA, 3571 posts
24 Apr 2009 9:51am
statistically Wellington is the windiest city on the planet bar none...

... I also think the New Zealand is not just a colder version of Hawaii it's also a gnarlier version of it. Just take a look at the area around Taranaki... people think La Perouse on Maui is rad... try Kina Road on a low tide in a 5 meter swell.
ikw777
ikw777
QLD
2995 posts
QLD, 2995 posts
24 Apr 2009 2:11pm
With my in-laws in Wellington I have an easy summer holiday destination.
firiebob
firiebob
WA
3182 posts
WA, 3182 posts
24 Apr 2009 5:33pm
ikw777, do your inlaws have a spare room
Looks great mate thanks for sharing
sailpilot
sailpilot
QLD
787 posts
QLD, 787 posts
24 Apr 2009 10:17pm
Hey Bob, I hear they've got a spare wettie too. You might need that. And just check someone overthere's got a kite handy in case your wind drops out
Gaz45
Gaz45
QLD
113 posts
QLD, 113 posts
24 Apr 2009 10:52pm
sailpilot said...

Hey Bob, I hear they've got a spare wettie too. You might need that. And just check someone overthere's got a kite handy in case your wind drops out


Hey Firie, maybe you should get your son into kiting.
He could go out and tow you in each time.
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