Information on sailing sites around N.Z.
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*Dunedin

The main feature is the Otago Harbour, which is one big long wind tunnel. In summer the NE sea-breeze is accelerated through the harbour to over 25 knots on sunny days. SW has the opposite effect, while it may be only 10 knots in town, it is often 25 knots at the top of the harbour, but watch the current! Watercooled Sports is the shop at the very bottom of the harbour.Dunedin is an interesting place for it's history and archittecture. Visit the grand Larnach Castle, driving out over the spectacular Otago Peninsula, or just cruise around the streets by bike. There are good wavesailing beaches both north and south of Dunedin. Access from the sandy beaches is easy and best at low tide. Just ask the locals where to go. A tour up the peninsula is a must, heaps of wildlife, albatrosses, penguins and seals. Albatrosses are like windsurfers, they need at least 15 knots to take off, which is why they live here!

Dial-a-forecast: 0900 999 77 / 0900 499 13
Info Centre: 48 The Octagon, Dunedin. Ph 03 474 3300.
Local Shops:

  • Watercooled Sports. 19 Portsmouth Dr. Ph 03 479 2206.
  • Snow Business. 249 Cumberland St. Ph 03 477 2374

1 VAUXHALL YACHT CLUB

SlalomRace boardLearnerRiggingHIRE
Access:
At the south end of the harbour. Facilities at the Yacht Club. Grass for rigging, parking etc.
Suits: Slalom, longboarding. Beginners.....
Wind: NE predominant in summer 12 - 25 knots. SW in winter.
Water: Flat.
Watch: -
Hire School: Available from Watercooled Sports.
In Detail:

  • St Leonards (Yacht Club) Good but small rigging area, ramps to water. Best in N or NW, also about the only sailable location in a SE.
  • Grassy Point Good rigging on grass but rocky access to water, 21/2 hours each side of high tide. Best wind SW, flat water.
  • Ravensbourne (Yacht Club) Best in a N or SW. Good chop, excellent rigging, hose and (members) showers.
  • North End Great rigging on grass, concrete ramps, good for learners through to experts. Best in a NE.
  • Vauxhaull (Yacht Club) Most of the "gun" sailors sail at the Vauxhaull Yacht Club where they keep their gear. NE and N preferred. Most of the racing takes place here with good facilities, rigging areas (grass), hose, ramps and maybe a shower (if you say you're from out of town).
  • Portsmouth Drive Great flat water sailing at low tide, best in a N or NE. Watercooled Sports is at the western end of the drive and has ramp, changing room, showers and hose. Good rigging. A disused (except for the occasional helicopter!) hovercraft ramp is also nearby.
  •  

2 ST CLAIR & ST KILDA

Wave sailingChop jumpingRigging
Access:
St Kilda and St Clair are the two local surf beaches, Good wave sailing on St Clair in a NE, big surf if there's a southerly swell.3 minutes drive south from the city. 2 km long sandy ocean beach, launch anywhere. Surf club, toilets, plenty of parking and rigging areas.
Suits: Wavesailing. Intermediate....
Wind: NE = offshore and gusty with best waves. SW = onshore hard breaking waves.
Water: Up to 4 metres. Better in smaller waves and low tide.
Watch: Mean beach break.

3 TAIERI RIVER MOUTH (AND OTHER BEACHES SOUTH OF DUNEDIN)

Wave sailingChop jumpingRigging
Access:
30 km south of Dunedin. Follow the signposts. Rig on the Domain. Toilets, easy access. Sail out 100 metres to sheltered beach break
Suits: Wavesailing. Intermediate.....
Wind: All except NW (offshore).
Water: Best when swell is small and wind is side offshore.
Watch: Outgoing tide.
In Detail:

  • Shag Point, Ocean Beach and Taieri River Mouth Shag Point to the north and Ocean Beach or Tairei River Mouth to the south (1/2 hours drive) have been recommended for wave sailing. Because the water is so deep offshore Otago waves are very powerful. Taieri works best in NE, SW and SE (onshore).
  • Aramoana Good beaches for learning wavesailing.
  • Lake Waihola About 20 mins south of Dunedin, works well in SW.

...more information

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