Water type: Lake
Water conditions: Flat, chop
Beach conditions: No information
Kite Level:
NE/E/SE
(Be safe and never kite Offshore)
Easterlies – Great flat water sailing at southern end of lake. Easterly can be very smooth, often in the 20 to 3oknt range.
Southerly – Similar to easterlies.
Westerly – Is gusty & offshore at camp site. NOT suitable for Kiteboarding
Northerly – Gusty, can produce great speed kiting conditions on northern bank
Parking: Yes
Camping: Yes
Food: Nearby
Shower: No
Toilet: No
How to get there: Go south out of Christchurch towards Ashburton. Turn off at Rakaia (40min), follow sign posts to Mt Somers (50 min) , then follow signs to Lake Clearwater (20 mins). ( last 10 Kms is gravel road)
Best for intermediate to advanced kiters. Launching is tricky & conditions can get extreme very rapidly.
Wind directions:
North Westerly – Best hi wind conditions. Can be gusty and wind can easily get up to 35knts +… often 50Knts + in summer. Nw can build very rapidly, always be aware of conditions.
Easterlies – Great flat water sailing at southern end of lake. Easterly can be very smooth, often in the 20 to 3oknt range.
Southerly – Similar to easterlies.
Westerly – Is gusty & offshore at camp site. NOT suitable for Kiteboarding
Northerly – Gusty, can produce great speed kiting conditions on northern bank.
DANGERS – The wind can change in an instance. It gets very windy here , very big gusts can happen unexpectedly, experience is required. Go with mates , don’t go solo , it is isolated.
– Lake is surrounded by matagouri (thorn bushes), many a kite has been dealt to by these pricks.–
KITERS BEWARE – Stay away from the island, (it is the Bermuda Triangle of islands)- It is a nature reserve & does strange things with the wind