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NZ South Island foiling spots

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bragnouff
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Re: NZ South Island foiling spots

Postby bragnouff » Mon Aug 05, 2019 10:15 pm

It's a smorgasboard of spots, really!
And foiling opens even more of them.
Need a bit of local knowledge, so get in touch with the fakeboobs local groups to tap into that. Jan/Feb isn't cold and a 3/2 wetsuit will be more than adequate pretty much anywhere. Sea temp typically around 18-20C that time of the year.
Just ignore all the East coast south of Christchurch to Oamaru. Looks awesome on the maps, but typically a very big gravelly dumpy disappointment at the end of the dusty roads. Waste of time when there are true jewels south of that.
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Re: NZ South Island foiling spots

Postby Ramkiter » Wed Aug 07, 2019 6:59 pm

Thanks everyone some great tips in there, even if some conflicting info on wetsuit requirements, think I'll take a 4/3 and sweat a bit on the coast! :thumb:

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Re: NZ South Island foiling spots

Postby Slyde » Wed Aug 07, 2019 7:25 pm

Seriously you won’t need it at that time of year. Take a 3/2. It’s only the lakes that have cold water because they are snow melt, but the air temp is usually good. The sea temp is mid teens, so not tropical but not crazy cold. But be prepared for some strong winds because it can blow at times. Never know what you are gonna get, light winds, strong winds, cold weather, hot weather. It’s a cool place to visit whatever. I spent a fortnight in Queenstown area in jan feb 2 years ago with no wind at all for 2 weeks. Still lots to do.
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Re: NZ South Island foiling spots

Postby bragnouff » Thu Aug 08, 2019 12:19 am

Put it this way, you'll never be too hot kitesurfing with a 4/3 wetsuit even in NZ summer, and if you do, then just splash a bit more to cool down. On the other hand, there are many days were a 3/2 will feel cold after half an hour. And keep in mind, the wind isn't exactly like clockwork blowing from 1pm to 3pm, in the warmest part of the day... there are some sessions to be had early in the mornings, at sunset, ahead of a front, ...
Only times you'd have a chance to overheat is on calm sunny days while paddleboarding.

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Re: NZ South Island foiling spots

Postby SimonP » Thu Aug 08, 2019 12:50 am

I always take a 4/3. It will be a too much for Nelson or the Christchurch estuary, but the water is pretty cool as you head south and on the lakes.
I would like to go foiling on Lake Aviemore (in the Waitaki Valley) some day. It gets a solid sea breeze thermal from 3pm to dusk at 10pm over summer. Fresh water and really scenic.

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Re: NZ South Island foiling spots

Postby Kamikuza » Thu Aug 08, 2019 1:02 am

Whatever you take, make sure you sunblock the bits that aren't covered.
bragnouff wrote:
Thu Aug 08, 2019 12:19 am
Put it this way, you'll never be too hot kitesurfing with a 4/3 wetsuit even in NZ summer, and if you do, then just splash a bit more to cool down.
Ew, wouldn't want to do that in the Estuary :lol:

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Re: NZ South Island foiling spots

Postby bragnouff » Thu Aug 08, 2019 2:43 am

Kamikuza wrote:
Thu Aug 08, 2019 1:02 am
Ew, wouldn't want to do that in the Estuary :lol:
I think the Estuary is on the edge of being excluded from the South Island foiling spots anyway.
We'll see what kind of lettuce is on the menu this year!

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Re: NZ South Island foiling spots

Postby Kamikuza » Thu Aug 08, 2019 11:11 am

bragnouff wrote:
Thu Aug 08, 2019 2:43 am
Kamikuza wrote:
Thu Aug 08, 2019 1:02 am
Ew, wouldn't want to do that in the Estuary :lol:
I think the Estuary is on the edge of being excluded from the South Island foiling spots anyway.
We'll see what kind of lettuce is on the menu this year!
True that! Worth the risk for a flat water session, though...

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Re: NZ South Island foiling spots

Postby Peter_Frank » Thu Aug 08, 2019 11:17 am

Why is the seawater so cold in NZ South in the summer?

Is it cold currents from further south, or?

You say temperatures is around 15°C (mid teens).

The south point is at -46° latitude (and north is only -35°).

Here in Denmark we are at +56 latitude so somewhat further from equator, but our seawater is around 20°C in the summer at the open deeper westcoast (and 22-24° at the eastcoast).

Maybe we have warmer water than our latitude should dictate, as the Gulf stream warms our waters up from spring to autumn, and NZ has more "normal" sea temperatures for their latitude?

Anyone who knows?

8) Peter

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Re: NZ South Island foiling spots

Postby Kamikuza » Thu Aug 08, 2019 12:09 pm

Peter_Frank wrote:
Thu Aug 08, 2019 11:17 am
Why is the seawater so cold in NZ South in the summer?

Is it cold currents from further south, or?

You say temperatures is around 15°C (mid teens).

The south point is at -46° latitude (and north is only -35°).

Here in Denmark we are at +56 latitude so somewhat further from equator, but our seawater is around 20°C in the summer at the open deeper westcoast (and 22-24° at the eastcoast).

Maybe we have warmer water than our latitude should dictate, as the Gulf stream warms our waters up from spring to autumn, and NZ has more "normal" sea temperatures for their latitude?

Anyone who knows?

8) Peter
http://www.ces.fau.edu/nasa/module-3/wh ... rrents.php


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