My Partner and I just got back from a trip to New Caledonia to get back into Windsurfing - It was great!
Not having windsurfed for more than 3 years we were both a little rusty and unfit!
Having said that, our trip accomplished what we had set out to achieve and I just thought I would share what we have learned.
Everyone I have spoken to says that New Caledonia is expensive and it certainly is with regards to Food, so you need to buy most of your food from the Carrefour, Simply or other Supermarket.
We paid just over AUD$1000 for 2 return flights from Brisbane to Noumea we flew with AirCalin, because they give you an extra 23KG sporting equipment allowance so you get 7Kg hand, baggage 23Kg and sporting equip 23Kg, we managed to take over 1 board 3 sails, mast, boom, harness etc, which meant we did not have to hire equipment which is expensive. We stayed in the Hotel Nouvata in Anse Vata at the Budget part of the hotel which cost around $100 per night but gave us a good room, 2 minutes to the beach across the road, with a beach view, So we could see what the plams were doing. We had a large balcony 4m X 7m so we had loads of room to put the gear out. We windsurfed between the Isles de Canard (Duck Island) and the beach and it was awesome. On the last day, the wind was the best around 20-22 kts consistently and there were more than 60 Sails on the beach! in all we managed to get out 4 of the 6 available days.
It really is a great place to windsurf, of anywhere I have ever been to, windsurfers are expected and well catered for and there are a few Kites about too and they have their own designated launch area.
The only downside was the one set of gear that we shared, the resulting conversations mainly around who had the better of the wind due to it being better suited at any one time, with me being 10Kg heavier than her, she coped well with the 6.7 when the wind 22 kts gusted 26+.
Both looking to get out and spend more time on the water looking North of Townsville (where we live).
If anyone is thinking to go, we are glad to give any help we can to make things smoother / save on the expenses.
Cheers all
Simon
LOL
wondering how many locals will hand you your ass over when you turn up for the pwa
Been in New cal since mid July on a boat. I'll second the expensive food bit. Try 120 aud for a pasta and a salad with a glass of house wine to give you an idea. Eating out as a couple gets pretty painful real quick.
Discovered the food trucks near the port to be able to eat more affordably. Long time since I've been in a country where your kinda forced to eat on the street.
The locals treat Sydney as a cheap destination for them believe it or not.
Re the wind longer term this time of year it's a bit more hit and miss. Work on 2 days out of 7 on average with enough wind and the right tides.
Some of the wave set ups are pretty epic but you need a boat and a rescue plan being cross off on the outer reefs.
All in all been a good trip but once was enough for the bank balance.
Hi Simon
Thanks for that info. I'm heading over from Melbourne on Saturday with a mate for a week, on Air Calin
Since we want to bring two boards and rigs our plan is for one of us to bring a sail bag with the rigs as our extra 23kg, and one to bring two boards strapped together (should be well under 23 kg)
The lady at Air Calin seemed pretty chilled - she said there won't be anyone there to weigh them or measure them
Did you find them pretty relaxed about the extra luggage?
Did you have to go to a lot of trouble to pack them against damage?
Finally, did you catch the shuttle in from the airport, and if so was their any issue finding room for your gear?
Thanks
Tim
