Hi All,
I'm going to Rotto for a week with the Family, mid Nov. I am keen to get as much kiting in as possible, so what are the best spots to kite:
In a SW?
In a SE?
In a NE?
I'm going to be staying in Thomson's & taking a Twin tip.
I know there are a few other Rotto posts, but I'm really after a summary of which bays on which winds - especially within an easy ride of Thomsons Bay
Thanks
That would be Geordie Bay and no there is not a lot on offer around there unless you are very experienced or have a rescue boat if it all goes pear shaped.
Be aware of reef, moorings, strong currents and gusty winds, the best and most consistent place is Salmon Bay (SE-WSW) on the other side of the Island.
You may be able to try Parakeet bay (very close to Geordie) if you get winds anywhere from the North to East.
F*%^ing hell
geordie bay - hmmm its not april fools day is it
try salmon bay in the seabreeze, and dont believe the bom readings as they are taken from top of a hill and are 5kn less than what is really there
better still do a search this topic has been covered many times
His original post asked where to kite near Jordan Bay, he has since edited the post and changed it to Thompson Bay and left me looking like a fool.
Hi guys,
Salmon Bay is the best place in a SW'er, you can also kite further up at Green Island.
In a Nor' Easter you can kite the downwind side of Natural Jetty at the Southern end of Thompsons.
In a Sou' Easter you can also kite near Natural jetty (southern side), don't kite on the bay side of the jetty because you fall into the 8 knot zone and the rangers enforce it! [}:)]
In a Nor Wester, Narrow neck is excellent fun and you can even work your way out to some small reef breaks. I know it's the opposite end of the island but you can easily jump on the bay seeker bus which drives around all day until about 5pm or 6pm (check as it's a long way to walk home).
Bay Seeker also stops at Salmon Bay. I wouldn't kite Geordie Bay, to sheltered, very busy with lots of moorings (as does Narrow Neck). There are other spots too but many require boat support.
Hope this helps,
Have fun in the clear waters.
Ahhh Salmon Bay.. so very sweet.
Here is a pic of Salmon Bay in a 25+ S/SW. It looks very sedate but is has a kn gusty launch/land in the sandy area (possibly less so further up the beach but very sharp small rocks) and some very shallow reef/rocks in close to the shore.
Do yaself a favour and climb the dunes to check out the shallow stuff first or pay the price.
Bloody great spot with variety of flat water, bombies etc. Bonus - the day I was there Rotto was crowded as heck and yet I had Salmon bay to myself for 3 hrs. Noice.
I'm heading over to Rotto this weekend, can someone tell me the best way to take my board (twintip) on the ferry? Can you carry it by hand, or should you put it in a padded bag?
The ferrys are very used to taking boards, just a normal (padded?) board bag will do, and check it in with your other stuff.
Concur with above, Salmon Bay is easist to kite, but about 5-10kn lighter than the wind meter by bom says as its on top of the windiest hill on the island! Lots of rocks and reef tho no boats/moorings/people which is good.
Its a bloody hard bike ride.....
Hi guys,
Just got back. Had a great time.
Tightlines - sorry about changing the post- I got a little confuse-ed
I ended up going to Salmon bay. The winds were pretty much straight southerly & about 15-20kts. I had a great time. I can't believe Rotto isn't a kiting mecca! Nice beaches, easy launching & flat water out to nice breaks. Not much swell around, but I don't really know what to do with a kite on a wave.
Biking there into the seabreeze is not much fun, but at least on the way back when your knakcered you have the wind behind you.
Thanks for the advice.
I just back from there after spending 4 days there, all work related 
and all I could think about how good the wind is. Hopefully next time it will be a holiday trip and not a trip working on the water treatment plant.
Cheers
Rich
