SESSION INTEL NEW ZEALAND
Spot and Weather Advisory Service
Be in the Right Place at the Right Time
Water Nomads Session Intelligence is a virtual spot and weather advisory service for intermediate to advanced wingfoilers and windsurfers travelling in unfamiliar regions.
We translate forecasts into practical, location-specific guidance by factoring in wind behaviour, local effects, tides, exposure, access, and common spot characteristics. The goal is simple: help you line up the right place at the right time, reduce guesswork, and make the most of every session.
When flights, accommodation, and vehicle hire are already locked in, local insight is often the cheapest optimisation you can make.
FROM
NZD $
100.-
/
day
- USD $ 60.- /day
- EUR € 50.- /day
Why Choose Session Intel?
Right place, right time
Spot and condition-specific insight to help you align wind, swell, and timing when travelling in unfamiliar regions.
Built for experienced riders
Designed for intermediate to advanced wingfoilers and windsurfers who ride independently — no instruction, no supervision.
Forecasts translated
Water Nomads turn raw weather data into practical, location-aware information you can actually use.
Travel smarter
Reduce guesswork and wasted days by understanding which spots work in which conditions.
Independent by design
Advisory only. You choose when and where to ride — Water Nomads Session Intel supports your decisions, it doesn’t make them.
Flexible access
Available as a stand-alone service or alongside Water Nomads equipment rentals.
Don't Dither - Grab Your Quiver!
What does it cost?
Water Nomads Session Intel is priced as a simple, flexible advisory service — pay only for the level of guidance you need. Options range from short-term support for a specific trip or weather window, through to ongoing access during extended travel. No contracts, no upsells — just clear, professional insight designed to maximise your time on the water.
One day of tailored, time-specific session advisory.
- $120.- NZD per day
24 hour detailed forecast and spot advisory on your location.
Multiple days for extended trips
- $ 100.- NZD per day
Extended forecast and spot advisory based on your expected itinerary. Daily detailed updates based on your planned and confirmed locations.
30% discount on Session Intel Multi-Day Trip Package when included with any Rental Package.
NB: 3 days minimum
You ride when you want, where you want. Water Nomads Session Intel supports independent travel, without schedules, groups, or on-water supervision.
You remain fully in control of your sessions.
Pay securely via Stripe using a credit card or your favourite digital wallet.
How does it work?
When you’re travelling with your own gear (or our rental gear), the difference between an average trip and an exceptional one is timing. Water Nomads Session Intel gives experienced riders local-style insight into wind, swell, and spot behaviour — without taking away your independence.
- Request Your Session Intel
Select your dates and locations. Options include single-day advisory or multi-day trips. - Share Your Details
Provide your skill level, equipment, and preferred session conditions. - Receive Expert Guidance
Water Nomads monitors forecast developments and sends time-specific advisory updates via instant messaging app or email. - Ride Smarter
Head to the optimal spots at the perfect time — maximise your session potential.
Water Nomads Session Intelligence is informed by hands-on experience riding and travelling in variable conditions, not generic forecast summaries.
It’s about probability, not promises — helping you make better calls, not selling guarantees.
Safety & Disclaimer
Session Intel is an information and advisory service provided by Water Nomads New Zealand for intermediate to advanced windsurfers and wingfoilers travelling to unfamiliar regions.
The service is designed to assist clients in:
- Identifying suitable locations (“spots”) based on prevailing conditions
- Interpreting publicly available weather, wind, swell, and tide information
- Improving the likelihood of being at the right place at the right time for desired conditions
Final decisions regarding if, when, and where to ride always remain with the client.
Water Nomads Session Intel does not involve instruction, coaching, supervision, or guiding, and does not replace the client’s own judgement, experience, or decision-making. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.
What Our Customers Say
My name is Shaun and I want to share my last 6 days and give a massive shout out to Wing foiling in New Zealand and my new best wind forecaster extraordinaire Heidi from Water Nomads because without her I would have no idea where to be and when! I’m writing this from Lake Ohau, New Zealand, sitting next to mirror-glass water with my foil gear on the beach and wings pumped. There’s barely any wind yet — and I’m totally relaxed because Heidi at told me to be here and ready for an incredible day of wing foiling. After the past week, I trust that call completely. I came to the South Island to wing foil the alpine lakes in the Canterbury / Mackenzie region, but NZ weather is complex. Wind wraps around mountains, funnels through valleys, turns lakes on and off, and is driven by thermals and cloud cover. Forecast apps like Windy don’t come close. As I write this, Windy says 6 knots at Mt Cook Airport — but it just hit 18 where I’m standing. Which means it’s about to be WIND ON, exactly like Heidi said. This is where Water Nomads’ Session Intel service is unreal: It’s not just a forecast — it’s being told where to be and when for the best wind. Whether you wing, wing foil, windsurf, wind foil, kite, or just love wind, it works. Honestly, you could probably even use it to find where it won’t be windy for a calm, scenic day. Over the week I scored epic sessions at Lake Clearwater (six hours over four sessions), Aviemore (including a New Year’s Day downwinder), and now Ohau. This isn’t Bonaire — it’s heavy, dense, beefy South Island wind. If you haven’t experienced it, you need to. Every local winger and windsurfer I met already knew Heidi and spoke highly of Water Nomads. That says everything. I’d use this service again without hesitation
Due to scheduling issues I was not able to actually ride with Water Nomads but I wanted to express my gratitude to Heidi and the team for their assistance and amazing communication! She reached out and discussed best spots and alternative ideas and put us in touch with other companies to help us still have a great trip! Highly recommend! 🙂
A great service to save you traveling with your gear. I rented foiling equipment from Water Nomads during my recent 5 week campervan trip in New Zealand. They even accommodated us picking up the gear in South island and dropping off on the North Island. Heidi & Bevan were very responsive and extremely helpful with spot suggestions, weather advice, and other travel tips. Highly recommend!
Top quality gear. Super easy to arrange and pay over email. They dropped and colllected the gear at a location convenient to me. Would definitely recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water Nomads Session Intelligence is a virtual spot and weather advisory service for intermediate to advanced wingfoilers and windsurfers travelling to unfamiliar regions.
It helps you maximise your chances of great sessions by identifying where and when conditions are most likely to align with what you’re looking for.
No. Water Nomads Session Intel is not coaching, instruction, or training.
It does not involve:
- Teaching techniques
- Skill development
- On-water supervision
- Real-time guidance while you are sailing
It is designed for experienced, self-sufficient riders who already have solid skills and judgement.
Session Intel is best suited to riders who:
- Are confident sailing independently
- Regularly self-manage weather, conditions, and safety
- Are travelling to new or unfamiliar locations
- Want local insight to avoid wasted days or missed opportunities
If you are still learning or require supervision, Water Nomads recommend working with a local school or instructor instead: Learn to Wingfoil | Your Guide to Schools in New Zealand
Depending on your location and subscription, Water Nomads Session Intelligence may include:
- Spot recommendations based on forecast conditions
- Wind, swell, tide, and weather pattern interpretation
- Local considerations such as access, exposure, and typical wind behaviour
- Timing advice (e.g. best windows during the day)
All advice is based on experience and forecast interpretation, not guarantees.
No. Water Nomads Session Intel does not involve real-time monitoring or live decision-making while you are on the water.
You are responsible for:
- Checking conditions on arrival
- Monitoring updates
- Deciding whether it is safe and suitable to sail
No. Weather and wind sports are inherently unpredictable.
Water Nomads Session Intelligence helps improve probability, not guarantee outcomes. Conditions can change rapidly, and actual conditions may differ from forecasts.
No. Session Intel is advisory only. Water Nomads does not:
- Meet you on location
- Guide you to or from spots
- Decide whether you should sail
- Take responsibility for your session
All activities are undertaken independently and at your own risk.
Yes. Water Nomads Session Intel is available as:
- A stand-alone service, or
- An add-on to equipment rental
Water Nomads Session Intel is not suitable for beginners.
It assumes you already:
- Understand forecasts
- Can assess conditions independently
- Are capable of self-rescue and managing changing environments
Beginners should seek formal lessons or local instruction: Learn to Wingfoil | Your Guide to Schools in New Zealand
Coverage depends on availability and local knowledge.
Session Intel works best in regions where Water Nomads has:
- Direct experience
- Strong local knowledge of conditions and spots
If you’re unsure whether your destination is covered, contact us before subscribing.
Yes — Water Nomads strongly recommend comprehensive travel and personal liability insurance.
ACC in New Zealand covers accidental injury only, not illness, equipment loss, or third-party liability.
Looking for where to wingfoil? Hit the button below and get all the information you need with Water Nomads FREE Spotguides!
More questions? Try our Travelling New Zealand Frequently Asked Questions: