Kite-surf Riddell Rd

Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert Type: Lagoon, River Mouth Water type: Shallow, Chop Water hazards: None Water quality: Cloudy Beach type & size: Grass - Small Infos: Long sandy spit, Riddell Rd accesses the bay which in turn is the northern side of the Tahuna Torea sand spit. A small launching area by the small car park at the end of Glendowie Rd, adjacent to the Churchill Club, or you can walk along the spit where you can launch from anywhere. Further up Glendowie Road there are also steps down to the water, and space to park. Beware fast incoming tide in the car park launch area. Fast launching is recommended as water can come in and wash away kite/lines etc. You can also launch in the Roberta reserve. Identified hazards: None Weather specificities: Hot water in sunny summers days, definitely no wetsuit needed. 3/2 wetsuit during winter is enough. Air temp of 21-3C2 during summer, 10-20C during winter. Water can get very warm in summer, over 30C. Wind type: Thermal, Frontal Wind specificities: Any winds from the N, NE will work great here. Easterlies and SE may also work but may be a bit gusty. N thermals in summer are light and steady, about 10-15 knots. Isobaric and frontal northerlies are stronger 15 knots up to over 50 knots. Frontal winds happen year round, N thermals in summer and early Autumn. Season is mostly during summer and autumn as the NNE winds are most common then. But occasional N direction winds come during winter and spring too and strong winds work great here. Best months: January, February, March, April, May, December Access description: by Car - Head to Riddel RD, you will need a map but it not far from St Heliers look for the suburb of Glendowie. At the end of Riddel Rd (West Tamaki Point) you will find a reserve (Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve), turn left and there will be a small car park on the right overlooking a bay, if it's good there will be a few guys kiting in the bay. Specific rules: None Extra: No rules, just common sense but it's generally very uncrowded here in regards to beach goers (technically speaking it's not really a beach). It's one of the more popular spots to kite in the East Auckland Area with 10 guys out on a good day. Nightlife: Auckland city is about 10kms away, Glendowie and Glen Innes are nearest suburbs. Mission Bay is also nearby. An upmarket suburb that usually doesn't sleep. Accommodations: Toilet, Parking