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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
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.
-
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)
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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