Catch the wind at any New Zealand beach, which is exposed to our invigorating sea breezes.

Windsurfing is a growing adventure sport with thousands of Kiwi adherents following the perfect wind around the coast. Visitors can do the same as New Zealand is well endowed with surf shops at beach resorts where you can hire windsurfers. Frequently there are kiosks on popular beaches where you can hire equipment and receive basic instruction as well. New Zealand also has an abundance of inland lakes where windsurfing is a popular activity.

New Zealand is particularly blessed with clean, unpolluted waters with no dangers of poisonous shellfish, coral or sea snakes. The only hazard is occasional outbreaks of ‘stinger’ jellyfish, which are well publicised when they do occur. Sharks cruise our coastal waters but close encounters are extremely rare.

Popular windsurfing areas include the Bay of Islands, Auckland Harbour, Hauraki Gulf, Lake Taupo, East Cape and Oakura (near New Plymouth). Also Wellington – the so called ‘windy’ capital, where Cook Strait ‘breezes’ often exceed 60 kph.

In the South Island, Christchurch and Dunedin beaches are popular venues, along with the Nelson Lakes and the Southern Lakes of Wanaka and Wakatipu.

So come on in, the water’s fine, life’s a breeze and you can windsurf with ease as long as you please!