Estuary
(Humphries Dr): Ideal for learning, intermediates & advance.
Wind directions: Kiters - North East to South East. CWA Guidelines - Please read Windsurfers - All wind directions
Tide: 5 to 6 hours each tide.
The heart of kite boarding & windsurfing in Christchurch. Great spot to learn when the famous Christchurch Easterly (NE to SE) is working (i.e. summer). The water is waist deep in most places, although there is a deeper channel on the Sumner side. The wind here tends to be a few knots stronger than at the beach. Only has water 2 hours before and 3 hours after high tide (but don’t let that stop you).
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.
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.
Lyttelton Harbour & Charteris Bay.
Windsurfers only - Ideal from Beginners to advanced Wind directions: North East to South East. ( Southerly if you are desperate.)
Tide: Any tide
Lyttelton Harbour
Great bump & jump windsurfing with outgoing tide. The wind is normally 4-5 knots stronger than the Estuary.
Intermediates (waterstarting ) to advanced sailing.
Launch from the windsurf ramp next to Public Boat Ramp , along from Naval Point Yacht Club . Charteris Bay Beginners to Advanced windsurfers , go round to Charteris Bay. Flatter
Ideal for Intermediates to Advanced
Wind directions: North West, Northerly, North East to South East. Tide: 5 to 6 hours each tide. (low tides most fun & safest).
Very busy beach with the public ,BE CONSIDERATE ON OFF THE WATER . It works in Northerly , Easterlies (NE to SE) and North Westerlies.
NE to SE (onshore) & incoming tide - Okay for beginners , great for intermediates & advanced kiters & windsurfers. Wind has to be 15knts plus for maximum fun.
North West - Experienced only (cross offshore) . Can get good down the line wave riding.
Strong tidal current due to the Estuary which can either help or hinder depending on the wind direction (ie in a North East you want the tide coming out against the wind). You can also head around to South Shore (Rocking Horse Rd) and launch from the Brighton side. Dangers:DON'T SAIL BETWEEN THE FLAGS. Outgoing tide can suck you very quickly. Be very aware of other beach & water users. 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 !
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
Good for intermediate kiters in tidal flats and great for the more experienced when there is some swell. Please don’t launch kites directly in front of South Brighton Surf club 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.
Good windsurfing , especailly if wind is East to South East . If the wind is off the North try Nth Brighton.
Dangers: Be careful of swimmers and DON”T SAIL BETWEEN THE FLAGS.
(Marine Parade):Ideal for Intermediates to Advanced
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
Good for intermediate kiters & great for the more experienced when there is some swell. Please don’t launch kites directly in front of North Brighton Surf club or leave kite line all over the beach. 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.
Good windsurfing , especailly if wind is North to North East .
Dangers: Be careful of swimmers and DON”T SAIL BETWEEN THE FLAGS.
Beaches North of Christchurch:
Ideal for Intermediates to Advanced
WaikukuBeach & estuary -- Worth checking for all kiteboarders & windsurfing wave junkies.
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.
Best conditions - All winds & strenghts for Estuary , Beach - only Westerly sucks....
Best riding is up by the river mouth for waves & the estuary.
Estuary works in all wind directions. Beware of debris in the water & the odd "rock bar"
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.
NW - cross off,
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. Ashworths - Northerly– side shore, Easterly- onshore, Southerly- sideshore
Lake Ellesmere ( Go to Leeston ,then sign posted to Lakeside domain): Ideal for Intermediates to Advanced
Wind directions: All directions Tide: No tide
All wind directions and no tide but best in Southerly or North to North East for beginners. Waist deep in most places you’d kiteboard. Usually only used in a Southerly .Stay up wind of the islands for safety if you’re worried about staying upwind. Dangers: Big lake, kites have been lost here. Also hidden posts & sticks all along edge of lake , so don’t show pony close too the shore.
The Lakes: - Clearwater & Coleridge
Ideal for Intermediates to Advanced
Usually North West or Southerly and no tides.
The main two lakes are Clearwater and Coleridge .
Both are cold water all year round and pretty windy as far as kiteboarders are concerned. You’ll need small kites and a thick wet suit. Dangers : The weather - The lakes are in the mountains , weather changes rapidly & can snow in middle of summer . Be
prepared. Lake Coleridge -
How to get there - Head out on the road to the West Coast (Greymouth) , after West Melton,turn off to Hororata / Mt Hutt. Then follow signs to LAKE Coleridge , NOT Coleridge township...Turn off Coleridge road onto Harpers road. When the road turns to gravel , left turn goes to the Intake, straight on goes to Ryton Bay (approx 30mins on gravel). Then follow signs to Mt Olympus.
Best conditions - NW winds from 20 to 50 knts....
What to take ----When its good - small everything , warm wetsuits , a few mates
, and $10 for a pint & pie at the Hororata pub on the way home. Lake Clearwater -
How to get there- Go south out of Christchurch towards Ashburton.Turn off at Rakaia (40min) , follow sign posts to Mt Somers (40 min) , then
follow signs to Lake Clearwater (20 mins). simple....
Windsurfing -
Suitable for all levels - Great for learning when light, also amazing for high wind junkies. Speed sailing , freestyle & hi-wind bump& jump are most fun.
Kiting -
Best for intermediate to advanced kiters . launching is tricky & conditions can get extreme very rapidly.
What to take to Lake Clearwater - (For camping )
WATER - All your own water, lake is fresh water, but take your own drinking water...(beer etc))
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.
COLTHING - 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.............
What not to take - 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.
Local Spots 
