7 Day Canterbury Wing Foil and Windsurf Holiday - South Island Surfari in New Zealand
Wingfoil Camp and Wind Surfing in New Zealand
A six night Canterbury wing foil and windsurf holiday to discover New Zealand’s stunning MacKenzie District Lakes in the Central South Island. These High Country lakes offer epic wing foiling and windsurfing in some of the most picturesque regions in the world. From crystal clear waters of Lake Ohau, Lake Aviemore and Lake Benmore to turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo. Water Nomads aim to explore a different spot each day. Water Nomads' surfari trips are all inclusive, meaning you don’t need to do a thing except book the trip and get to Queenstown (fly) or Twizel (drive).
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 5 days of wingfoil and windsurf in paradise!
- Free shuttle transport to each sailing location
- Plus free gear transport by covered trailer
- Sailing spot advice and weather conditions advice
- 6 x continental breakfast, 5 x 2-course picnic lunch, and 6 x 2-course dinner with a complimentary glass of wine
- Queenstown Airport – free shuttle transfer
- 6 nights comfortable accommodation (3 star)
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
Accommodation
Your accommodation is 3 star lodge and offers plenty of room for everyone to hang out and socialise. Centrally located to easily access the five lakes. They cater for small groups of up to 8 guests, thus you will enjoy the large living spaces and comfortable bedrooms.
Program
What skill set
This trip is suitable for intermediate to expert wingfoil, windfoil and windsurfer. Wind conditions can be anywhere from 12-25+ knots.
Water state can be buttery-flat through to large rolling swells, this is dependent on the lake chosen and wind strength/direction.
The Canterbury wing foil and windsurf holiday itinerary is pretty relaxed, and the flow is usually dictated by the wind forecast.
Itinerary
The first day is effectively travel day, the fly-in guests will be picked up from Queenstown Airport and driven to Twizel. Self-drive guests can arrive anytime. Access to the accommodation will be from 4pm. Dinner is generally served at 7pm.
The following days breakfast is agreed upon, usually between 8-9am. The fresh coffee stops when you stop drinking it. Your lunch is provided individually packed to give you the freedom should you wish to spit up, or just enjoy it at your leisure. Again, the evening meal starts when everyone is refreshed and ready, this is usually agreed around 7pm, though is flexible if the wind is late in the day. The last day finishes with breakfast, pack-up and drive back to Queenstown Airport for departure. Self-drivers can depart Twizel at there leisure, maybe getting in a final session?
What is the Canterbury Lake sailing/foiling like?
With your Canterbury wing foil and windsurf holiday, expectations play a big part on overall experience, one thing we can assure you is each lake we visit has its own personality.
All the lakes are large with a long fetch, so rolling swells are common, especially on Lake Ōhau. A comparison to ocean swells is often made, however no sea creatures with big teeth will be found! Lake Ruataniwha is the smallest, being also a shallow lake offers beautiful flat turquoise blue water sailing like a Fiji Lagoon. Brilliant for honing new moves and tricks you may pick up from other riders in the group.
What is the lake water temperature like?
The average surface water temperature of the lakes in January & February is approximately 17 degrees Celsius (63 F).
This can vary depending on sun hours, wind, rainfall and snow melt from the mountains, and temperature changes can alter from day to day. The temperature can often reach as high as 21C, but may also go as low as 15C. For comparison, this is similar Spring or Autumn water temperatures as found in Auckland, or Melbourne. It is much the same as Christchurch summer sea temperatures.
How reliable is the wind?
In the summer months of January and February the wind is very reliable the Mackenzie District. As a rule of thumb you will either be experiencing a Westerly frontal system or an Easterly thermal system. Due to being in the mountains the push / pull of these systems can be very difficult to predict or read in a forecast, and this is where Water Nomads are here to guide you.
Instructors
Heidi
Heidi grew up at Lake Constance in Germany. Windsurfing was her passion from an early age. After a backpacking trip to New Zealand in 2009 she moved to Auckland permanently in 2011. For several years she worked for a local surf and windsurf shop, learning the ins and outs of the industry before founding Water Nomads in 2018, offering top windsurf and wingfoil rental equipment and boutique trips. Heidi is responsible for coming up with new Surfari Trips, organising all the logistics and offering windsurf and wingfoil lessons for our guests during the trip.
Location
Where do you sail
The MacKenzie District of Canterbury offers a variety of great lake locations for wingsurfing, freeriding and speed runs with regular summer alpine thermals off the mountains, a bit like a mix of Maui and Lake Garda without the crowds.
Lake Ōhau
The Water Nomads favourite lake pick. With two easy access spots it's well known for its beautiful foiling and freeride conditions and its unbelievably clear water. There is an awesome swell building at the eastern shore if the Northerly wind direction is right. The wind here can be epic, regularly exceeding 25-30 knots, a spot where you can test yourself and your gear.
Lake Ruataniwha
Situated right at Twizel township, an artificial lake created during Twizel’s hydroelectricity era. Lake Ruataniwha’s shallow water makes this lake a Surfari favourite for foiling, where the buttery-flat turquoise waters are a joy. This is the ideal location when the Northwesterly is too strong everywhere else.
Lake Aviemore and Lake Benmore
Lake Aviemore’s thermal Easterly winds in the summer switch on like clockwork and are legendary. Lake Benmore is New Zealand’s largest artificial lake. Both of these lakes are very forgiving and super popular holiday spots, perfect locations for foiling and free riding.
Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki
Lake Tekapo is the northernmost lake on our tour and is postcard picturesque with impossibly blue water, a sailing paradise with easy gravel beach access. This is a foilers dream come true.
Lake Pukaki is the largest of the three roughly parallel alpine lakes running north–south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin. The brilliant turquoise water sitting in the snow peaked shadow of Aoraki / Mt Cook. This is one of the most picturesque lakes, yet has to be the most fickle wind-wise on our tour, our goal is to get you out on Lake Pukaki.
Food
Your Wholesome Catering
It starts with a continental breakfast, Artisan bread, and fresh brewed espresso coffee to your taste (or tea!). A hearty lunch is individually packed to allow you the freedom to eat when you please.
The day finishes with a wholesome 2 course meal provided by our local chef, this includes a rich desert and a lot of tall stories around the table!
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Whole food
- Other dietary requirements on request
Things to do (optional)
Your Action Photographer
Taking professional action shots of you on the water which are available to purchase at discounted rates.
What's included
- 6 nights comfortable accommodation (3 star)
- 5 full days in paradise!
- Queenstown Airport – free shuttle transfer
- Free shuttle transport to each sailing location
- Plus free gear transport by covered trailer
- Sailing spot advice
- Weather conditions advice
- 6 x continental breakfast
- 5 x 2-course picnic lunch
- 6 x 2-course dinner with a complimentary glass of wine
What's not included
- Gear Rental – all wing foil or windsurf equipment required for the duration of the trip, perfect if you fly in! – by prior arrangement
- 450 NZD.-
- Lessons – perfect if you are trying to nail your jibes, tacks flying switch etc – by prior arrangement
- NZD 60.- per hour
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Queenstown Airport
137 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
The journey from Queenstown Airport to Twizel is 200km which is a 2-hour and 30-minute drive time. The trip takes you through the Kawarau Gorge, around Lake Dunstan, and over the Lindis Pass, the beautiful landscapes of central Otago. The Flight from Auckland to Queenstown is 1 hour 55 minutes, and Sydney to Queenstown is 3 hours.
The drive from Christchurch to Twizel is 286km which will take approximately 4 hours
You are picked up from and returned to Queenstown Airport by shuttle with a covered luggage trailer to transport your equipment.
You are driven to one of the five lakes each day by shuttle based on optimal weather conditions. Water Nomads ensure you are at the right place at the right time to maximise your day on the water. It is however ultimately your judgement on your ability to sail in the presented conditions.
If you prefer to self-drive to Twizel you are welcome to join the coach transport each day or choose your independence. This is an ideal option if you wish to bring a partner that’s not into wind/water sports.
NB: Gear shuttle expectation is one board + foil + three wings/sails. Naturally you may have larger expectations, contact us to discuss your gear requirements.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookSurfCamps.com. All major credit cards supported.