Summer Surfari Trips 2026
TRIP REPORT
Summer 2026 was a bit of a mixed bag in New Zealand. At times it felt fairly cold and unsettled in the South Island where we were, with a few with a few brisk Southerly fronts coming through. Despite the unusual weather patterns, our South Island Surfari Trips were still a great success with plenty of sunshine and epic water time.
Canterbury Lakes Discovery Trip January
Our guests for our January Canterbury Lakes Discovery Trip were all repeat customers. A good number of them have been to the Canterbury Lakes with us before, some others have been to Northland or Taranaki with us and were keen to explore the South Island. Even for those who knew the area well, we still had some new spots up our sleeves to take them to, where they hadn’t sailed before and they didn’t know about.
A Southerly front at the beginning of our trip did bring some unseasonably cold temperatures. Despite the temperature not being very inviting, we still managed to get on the water on Lake Ohau in the morning, before the wind swung around and we found ourselves on Lake Ruataniwha for an afternoon session. Double session with two different spots, what a great way to kick off another Canterbury Lakes Discovery Trip Season!
The next day was a relaxed rest day at Lake Ruataniwha, soaking up the warmth and hoping for the wind to come in. Alas, it was teasing us! Getting up to 10-12 knots, only to drop again the moment someone did get excited! Eventually we called it a day and gave up.
Tuesday started off calm, and our guests made the most of it by exploring the Mount Cook area or going on a bike ride around Twizel and the canals. Though when the Water Nomads call came in about a 1pm start time, everyone rushed back, not to miss a day sailing on Aviemore. We started with our bigger wings and kept on rigging down – by the end of the day all of the gear had been used, from 6m in the beginning to 3.5m wings in the end! It was still blowing when we packed up…..
Day four greeted us with a Northwest wind – time for Lake Ohau! While Lake Ohau can get very wild with over 30 knots of wind, this time we had a more sedate 18-20 knots, which made it super user friendly, especially for the less experienced members of our group. Late afternoon, before we packed up, we suggested the option of a downwinder. 3 guests took the offer up, and together with Heidi they took off, while the rest packed the car and was to meet them downwind. Great fun to end a perfect day!
For our last day, Lake Ohau turned it on again. Though 25-30 knots seemed a bit too exciting, and our group voted unanomously for a more relaxed flat water day on Lake Ruataniwha.
Canterbury Lakes Discovery Trip February
Our February group was only a small group, with guests from as far away as Western Australia and Singapore. Apart from one, all of them were new to our Water Nomads Surfaris. it was fortunate this group was full of energy, as they didn’t get a rest day! Instead, they did get an introduction with a bang – Lake Ohau was turning it on on their first day. Gentle 20 knots to start with, ending the day with gusts up to 30 knots and an epic downwinder! What a way to start a trip! The option of a second session on Lake Ruataniwha in the afternoon was politely declined, everyone had their share of action already…..
Wednesday the wind had swung easterly and we did get a beautiful day on Lake Aviemore. Consistent 18 knots gave little time for a break, with Jeff even skipping lunch and sailing for 5.5 hours without a break! Talk about energizer bunny…..
The next day was a hot one – 28 degrees in Twizel! Time for a swim in Lake Benmore before the wind started up late afternoon and we found ourselves back at Lake Ohau.
Day 4 was a bit grey in the morning, with even some rain coming through. We went exploring the not-so-well-known side of Lake Ohau and had some great fun playing around with the camera, taking group photos. Once the rain passed, we headed over to Lake Pukaki for a brief session before dinner.
Our last day was stunning and sunny again. A light Easterly breeze did send Jeff on the water early, before the wind swung NW late afternoon and picked up to another beautiful and consistant 18 knots.
5 out of 5, what a way to get introduced to Water Nomads Surfaris! I’m sure we will see some of them back!
Lake Clearwater Camping Surfari
Our Lake Clearwater Camping Surfari on the last weekend of February had a dubious forecast (it seemed that was a bit of a pattern this year), with another Southerly front passing the South Island of New Zealand. Though it shows again, a forecast is only a forecast and not necessarily what is actually gonna happen: We had 3 fantastic days on the water!
Most of our guests already arrived on Thursday night, a day early. It was a cold and rainy evening, though our Water Nomads van was big enough to huddle together for a pre-Surfari beverage.
Friday morning the rain was gone and the sun was out again. With no wind in the morning Mike, Graeme and Michal went off on the bikes around the lake while we (Bevan and Heidi) waited for the the last guests to arrive. Wind and the last of our guests arrived pretty much at the same time and everyone had a great afternoon on the water.
Saturday was another typical Lake Clearwater day. We went for a bike ride in the morning, followed by an amazing afternoon windsurfing and winging. The lake was busy with the CWA (Canterbury Watersports Association) having their club weekend at the same time – though the more the merrier! It was possibly the most wingers and windsurfers on the water I’ve evern seen at Lake Clearwater (which doesn’t mean much by European standards). To top off the day, we put on a great BBQ for our guests. Over steak, sausages, prawns and salads, washed down with a beer or wine, the day was recounted, moves were discussed, and plans for the next day were made.
Sunday, our last day started out without wind again. Michal had a go on Jaynes E-foil on Lake Camp (no motorised craft allowed on Lake Clearwater) before the wind started up late morning. It was a cold and beefy Southeasterly wind, pushing in front of a southerly change. We did get about 2 hours of excellent wind conditions before the front hit and it started to rain. By then everyone had had their share and gear was packed up for the trip home.
I can only say we had a great season and really enjoyed being back at the lakes. If you haven’t sailed in any of these places, you’re certainly missing out! It’s an absolute bucket list destination. What are you waiting for? Our 2027 dates for the Canterbury Lakes Discovery Trip are out, book now! The dates for the Lake Clearwater Camping Surfari will be published soon, sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.
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