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Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand. Close to the
ski-fields on Mt Ruapehu, the water gets very cold in winter and
spring, but warms quickly in summer. It is clean and clear of
weeds. A busy place in the holidays, Taupo has plenty of accomm-
odation and lots to do - mountainbiking, thermal areas, hot pools
and visit the awesome Huka Falls. 36km long and 25km wide, and
only about 25 local sailors so it's not too crowded! Local
resources include the windsurf
shop, windline (07) 377-0048, hire
at 2 Mile Bay and the Taupo Windsurf Club.
There are also numerous other activities to explore when there's
no wind, such as mountain biking, tramping, mountain climbing,
ski-ing, canoeing, rafting etc. etc. etc.
 Dial-a-forecast: 0900 999 13
 Info
Centre: 13 Tongariro St, Taupo. Ph 07 378 9000
 Local
Shop: Windline. Town centre. Ph 07 377 0048
      
Access: Right at the main street of Taupo, there's a
sand beach with toilets, parking and grass rigging areas.
Suits: Slalom, longboard,(wavesailing in
southerlies).Beginners......
Wind: All onshore winds - S,SW. SE =
sideshore
Water: Flat - short chop - lake swell up to
1 metre.
Watch:
- That you keep to areas designated for windsurfers and
be courteous to other beach users.
- That you don't go out for long expeditions unprepared
as lakeconditions can change suddenly.
- That you wear a good wetsuit, hypothermia is a risk
in coldertemperatures.
In Detail: In a SE the lake front is an
option, providing good slalom conditions, although it can be
difficult for the first 100m offshore. Southerlies provide
good learner/beginner conditions until it strengthens when it
gets better fro beginner wave sailors with chop on the nearby
bar.
Access: 5 minutes drive from main town, turn right
off lakeside road. Sand/pebble beach, toilets, BBQ area,
grass rigging etc.
Suits: Slalom, longboard. Beginners.......
Wind: W,N,NE. S,SW are best and reach up to
30 knots.
Water: Flat - wind swell.
Watch: A few submerged rocks at the southern
end of the point especially when lake levels are low.
In Detail: On the right as you head south
from Taupo township (before you get to the airport),
Wharwwhaka Point has plenty of parking, grass rigging,
toilets/changing rooms and easy launching. Water gets deep
quickly (not good for kids). This is the location of numerous
funboard events. Predominant wind is a SW, and in strong
conditions a big wind-swell can develop from the southern end
of the lake.
3 STUMP BAY (AND OTHER BAYS BETWEEN TAUPO
AND TURANGI)
Access: Parking, grass rigging and toilets at most
bays.
Suits: Slalom, longboard. Beginners.....
Wind: S,SW,W,NW,N.
Water: Flat - lake swell.
Watch: A few rocks, and other lake users.
In Detail:
- Watahanui, Five Mile Bay and Hatepe:For
more adventurous sailing keep heading south, these
beaches offer access to good wind swells although the
steep shelf creates a mean beach break. Off shore
(5km) is the Horomatangi Reef, an underwater pinnacle
which should be investigated with care and company.
- Mission Bay, Te Rangita, Tauranga Taupo River
Mouth and Stump Bay: These are also worth a
look if you've got the time.
- Kuratau: In the SW corner of the
lake, this is a "local secret", with wind
tunneling down off the hills to give a wind at least
1 sail size smaller than the northern end of the
lake.
- Whakaipo Bay and Kinloch: To the
West of Taupo township, these spots allow sailing up
to the cliffs.
 ...more information
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