THE BEST DOWNWIND FOILING RUNS
A Guide to New Zealand's Epic Locations
New Zealand has got some worldclass downwind foil runs with stunning scenic backdrops.
Downwind foiling is gaining world wide popularity, be it paddle up, with a wing or with a parawing. New Zealand has got some spectacular scenic runs to offer.
This blogpost will give you an overview of some of those epic downwind runs to plan your next outing. However, it is not a detailed downwind foil guide, so do additional research and connect with the local foiling community before you head offshore. Although There is plenty of coastline in New Zealand, not all of it is easily accessible, and you need to be self-sufficent, have a plan B (and possibly plan C!) for when things go wrong. You need to have good communication devices with you and we highly recommend a call-out for when things go really wrong. Mobile reception is never guaranteed, so be prepared! It’s also always good to plan for and know alternative exit points in case you have to bail out early (or late) for whatever reason.
Auckland - Whangaparaoa Peninsula
The Whangaparaoa Peninsula 30km north of Auckland CBD is a downwind paradise. The Peninsula stretches East-West, and with the dominant wind being either West or East, there are plenty of options of doing downwind runs. The peninsula also offers a good selection of entry and exit points, enabling you to tailor the length of your run to your personal skill and fitness level. Between the beaches and bays, you have high vertical cliffs, making it super scenic and the wind wrapping around the points creating different wave patterns.
Typical runs are from Orewa to Army Bay or parts thereof in a Westerly or the other direction, from Army Bay at the end of the peninsula back to Orewa, in an Easterly.
Auckland - Manukau Harbour
The Manukau Harbour offers absolutely epic downwind runs, though they are not for the faint hearted or beginners. The Manukau Harbour is a big harbour with a narrow entrance to the Westcoast, which makes for a very fast running tide. There is also a lot of high cliffs, not many places to cut your run short and not many people boating or houses overlooking the area. You are on your own, it’s not an urban run. For experienced downwinders though it offers highly rewarding big rolling swells in the right conditions.
We highly recommend not to go by yourself as it is unlikely you encounter other downwinders by chance.
Taranaki
Taranaki offers proper offshore downwinding for experienced downwinders. Launch at any of the “beaches” (often just rocky surf spots at the end of a road) and follow the coastline. Rocky outcrops will force you to go a fair way offshore, and places to land and to cut your run short are limited. Make sure you are familiar with the coastline and have good communication – it is a very exposed place that rewards you with great swells and – if you are lucky – with stunning views of the mountain.
A popular run is from The Port to Bell Block, though you can easy extend this run by starting further down the coast (like in Weld Road) or extending it to Waitara, or – if you want a shorter run – finish at Fitzroy Beach.
Wellington
Windy Wellington is popular for downwinding, as it is often very windy. Most of the main downwind runs are in Wellington Harbour, which offers a good variety for nearly any wind direction combined with easy accessibility. With the predominanat wind direction being northerly and northwest, the downwind run from Kau Bay to Seatoun Beach / Steeple Rock is one of the most popular ones. It doesn’t cross the busy ferry channel and there is a road next to the coastline all along with plenty of emergency exits, which makes it also suitable for less experienced riders.
Another popular downwind run is from Eastbourne to Petone, which works well in a Southerly wind.
Lake Hawea
Lake Hawea near Wanaka in New Zealands South Island offers world class downwind conditions. In a strong northerly wind, a large wind swell builds on the narrow 40km long lake. The crystal clear waters and mountain scenery make for a stunning backdrop. The lake water is cold and a 4/3mm neoprene is needed even in summer.
With SH6 running along the southern 20km of the lake, running shuttles is a breeze. The most popular run is a 10km run from Craigburn to The Camp. You are straight into the waves, no flat water grovelling before you get started, and neither is there in the end. And yes, it finishes right at the campground, perfect if you are staying there!
Queenstown
Lake Wakatipu offers a variety of downwind runs to suit most wind directions. But beware, the lake is big and cold – don’t underestimate it. Wear a warm wetsuit even in summer, the water temperature rarely exceeds 12 degrees Celsius, and if things go wrong, you might be swimming for a while.
In a Southerly wind, the most popular run is on the South Arm from Wye Creek to Jardines (you can extend this run to Kelvin Heights if you are keen).
In a Northerly wind, the other end of the lake fires up: If you are on a wind powered craft, you can start in Glenorchy at the head of the lake and make your way downwind to 25 Mile. At the beginning, the water is super flat being an offshore wind (coming out of the Rees-Dart valley. The further down the lake you go, the bigger the waves get. If you need the bumps to get going, start at the Pigeon Island boat ramp and finish at 25 Mile. 90% of the run there is a road next to the lake for your emergency exit. If you go past 25 Mile, you are committed to go all the way as there are no exit points before Rat Point. Conditions get fairly rough on this section, do not attempt it if you don’t know exactly what you are doing!
Photo Credit Queenstown and Header image: Rich Bayley
There are plenty more places where you can do fantastic downwinders, though on a lot of them you might be by yourself. Grab a map, look at a wind forecast and go explore! In some places there is a road running along the coast or lake. These are ideal for downwind runs, as there are emergency exits, especially if you are not familiar with the area.
Secret tip: Word has it that the East Coast north of Dunedin can offer fantastic downwind conditions…..
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