January isn't the best time for waves. Usually they are smaller with less frontal driven swell.

That said. Prevailing wind is Westerly. Your best bet for the best waves will be the west coast. The best waves on the west coast is in Raglan and Taranaki. Taranaki works from ne to SE, but is best W, WSW and SE.

However some times in January there are easterly driven tropical systems. Then you will want yo look on the east coast!
Hopefully someone else will chime in on east coast spots.

DutchRooster said..
North Island?

Do you mean Queensland?

Plummet said..
January isn't the best time for waves. Usually they are smaller with less frontal driven swell.

That said. Prevailing wind is Westerly. Your best bet for the best waves will be the west coast. The best waves on the west coast is in Raglan and Taranaki. Taranaki works from ne to SE, but is best W, WSW and SE.

However some times in January there are easterly driven tropical systems. Then you will want yo look on the east coast!
Hopefully someone else will chime in on east coast spots.

Thanks Plummet. Any particular spots at Raglan and Taranaki you can share? Please PM me if you don't want to publicise any secret spots - I'll honour the privacy of local spots!

I've been searching for a decent website with historical wind data for New Zealand so that I plan to spend more time in those areas with higher wind stats. Any idea what website is best (so far it looks like windfinder is the only one with any info)?

Hey Mate,

Grade 5 I believe....never been before so that was our first experience, stayed upright with 4 in the boat over the 7m drop....

www.rotorua-rafting.co.nz/?gclid=CjwKCAjw39reBRBJEiwAO1m0OZnQyCK0waOfa03L4HrSTz2iQA6tkn_ZGNn3SMyFODHuNqD4VauP6RoCgM4QAvD_BwE

I think there are about 4 x 2m drops and 2 x 1m drops....very cool scenery aswell


Also if you do head to the east coast, make sure you check out The Coromandel Peninsular, down to Whangamata on to Waihi and the Mount


Have a great trip dude!!

Weta said..
Cuddly looking marsupials :)

Aren't you too old for Schoolies week?

Taranaki is pretty much hands down the premium wave spot, the swell period and size they get in there is insane.

add to that a thumping, high density frontal seabreeze, and it is an epic playground. I rode there on the most **** of days and it was still great fun, you could tell how well it would work if the swell was a tad cleaner.

Wellington was ok, but super changeable. it was pretty dicey riding in the city bay area, but waikanae was working ok when we were there, wind was a bit light but still good fun on the gusts. great thing about the river mouths is there is no chance of sharks. unlike aus.

EugeneZA said..
Mate you should probably spend the time with your family....

FYI they are the squatters living in your house not paying rent that don't kite.

East End in New Plymouth is the go to spot in a westerly. Join Taranaki kitesurfers facebook page and the guys on there will give you the low down on closer to the day.

Unlikely I'll make it to Taranaki - rest of the crew isn't keen on all the driving so consensus is to cut the distances. Will keep my fingers crossed for some wind in the Raglan area.

Anyone here have any recommendations for Raglan kite spots?

www.windy.com/?2019-01-15-03,-39.555,173.844,7,m:cAIakYU