Parapente Port Waikato

This site is located on the West Coast on the southern side of the Waikato River. To get there, take the motorway south from Auckland to the Bombay Hills, follow the signposts to Tuakau, and then to Port Waikato and Sunset Beach. Upon arrival at Sunset Beach, you'll find a grassed area to the left of the toilet block. On the southern side of this grassed area, there's a private driveway and a small bridge across a creek. Cross the bridge to find the start of a track that runs through Toi Toi bushes and along the ridge heading south from the beach. Hang gliders have used a launch area a short way along this track, but it is unsuitable for paragliders. The second top takeoff point is further up the same track where it exits the bush onto a large rounded hilltop. On strong days, launching from the sand dunes immediately in front of the cliffs to the left of the car park and beach entrance area is also possible. Takeoff heights are: - Lower takeoff: 100 feet A.S.L. - Top takeoff: 300 feet A.S.L. Landing: At high tide, the beach area for landing can be restricted, requiring careful planning. Ensure you land outside the flagged swimming area and avoid summer crowds. Weather and Wind Direction: Suitable wind directions are North, North West, and West. The lower launch is suitable for West to North West winds only. The club operates a weather station at Kariotahi, approximately 10 km north up the coast. Mandatory Notices: None Site Radio Channel: The site channel is Channel 20 - 476.900MHz. You may also hear schools operating on channels 10 and 26. Restrictions: - Hang Gliding: - Dunes Launch: HG Beginner - Lower Slope Launch: HG Intermediate + 20 hours + Cliff Launch - Top Launch: HG Novice - Paragliding: PG 2 Cautions: - Hang Gliding: Note the restrictions for various launch options. - All: Be cautious when soaring in the bowl to the south of the top takeoff as wind direction changes can cause rotor on one side of the bowl. The lower launch is suitable for W to NW winds only. Airspace: The site is within the boundary of CTA/C with a height restriction of 2,500 feet. Access Conditions: None Site Monitor: No site monitor assigned For more information, visit [Cloudbase Site Guide](https://www.cloudbase.org.nz/site-guide/flying-site-port-waikato). Waikato Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club (Waikato HGPC) Email: ian@imatec.co.nz President: Aaron Darby 021 407 357 Sec/Treas: Ian Manton 027 546 2832 PG SO: Peter Jones 027 273 8375 HG SO: Rick Hawkeswood 021 682 766