CANTERBURY LAKES DISCOVERY TRIP 2025
Trip Report
For 2025 we had two Trips to the Canterbury Lakes on our calendar, and both of them booked out well in advance. Though due to a short notice injury cancellation for the first trip, one lucky winger all the way from Ireland got the chance to scored a last minute spot for the January Surfari Trip.
Our January group consisted of 8 awesome keen-as wing-foilers and windsurfers who threw everything into the brilliant conditions and stunning locations. From as far away as Ireland, California, Sydney and as close as Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland, new friendships formed and passion for the sport was fuelled.
At the beginning of our trip, a brief low system ripped across the country. While the usual winds where a bit interrupted, we made the most of it by exploring the beauty of Lake Tekapo and Pukaki. Aoraki was out and moody as ever and we even managed to get a light wind session with a very impressive backdrop on Lake Pukaki.
When the Northwest wind kicked in on Tuesday, everyone was ready for some action and we went off to Lake Ōhau. The wind was cranking when we arrived, and it kept on building. Starting out on 5m wings and sails, they soon did get retired and smaller gear did get set up. Eventually, we decided to find calmer conditions at Lake Ruataniwha for a post lunch play, but not without having Tim and Bruce finish off Ōhau with a nice 10km downwinder!
The next day was another day of two halves: The NW was still cranking in the morning and with 30-40 knots it was way too windy for Ōhau. So we went to Lake Aviemore, where everyone had a good play in 10-15 knots with the bigger gear to start off with. Though it didn’t take long before switching Easterly and it was all on again, 20 building to 30+ knots! Gotta love the lakes.
On our last day, we had classic Aviemore conditions: starting out gentle, but building quickly to a perfectly consistent 18-20 knots – something for everyone and very user friendly. Everyone did get their fill and earned dinner that day.
Our February group consisted mainly of repeat customers, with many of them having been on our Lakes Trip already at least once, some even twice. They were keen to come back for more: more great water time, more epic sessions, more good banter and fantastic food. We like meeting new people during the Surfari Trips and making new friends, but we also really enjoy it when our guests come back and bring their mates along – that means they enjoyed the last trip and often guests tend to turn into friends.
A textured variety of an Easterly flows dominated this second Canterbury Lakes Surfari Trip. With a light start and the prospect of sailing at Lake Aviemore for the rest of the week, we opted to explore Lake Pukaki and Tekapo on the first day – to showcast the “newbies” of this group what’s out there. Light winds (roughly 6-8 knots) made for very challenging conditions, but it was a beautiful day out in a very special environment.
The next four days saw us heading to Lake Aviemore with a few variations: One morning we made the detour via Lake Ōhau, which was as glassy as it ever gets – absolutely stunning but not what we were after. Another day, Lake Aviemore, which is usually sunny in an Easterly breeze, greeted us with a heavy cloud cover and a strong but cold wind – plenty to wear everyone out during the next 6 hours on the water! But we also had two classic Aviemore days, with the wind picking up just after lunch and then building more and more throughout the day – something for everyone.
After a week of sailing every day, we had to drop everyone off at the airport in Queenstown and say goodbye again. Some of our guests headed directly home, whereas others were lucky enough to be able to add another few days of holiday in the South Island, armed with the invaluable knowledge gained on their Water Nomads Surfari Trip.
Are you feeling like you missed out? Well, you certainly did!
It’s time to tick that bucket list trip – the Canterbury Lakes Discovery Trip 2026 dates are up, book now!
Looking to travel New Zealand? Check out Water Nomads for Watersports Rental and Surfari Trips!
