Lyall Bay, Wellington City
Lyall Bay
Where else in the world do they let you kite next to an airport? Play by their rules or we could get banned from here!
Level Advanced, to kite lyall you must be able to competently kite up wind, be able to comfortably pop waves (practice on Waikanae), and have strong spatial awareness of your kite at all times (even if you are underwater) - this is not to be taken lightly, we are a target for being banned on this beach.
Links
Wind Direction SE through to SW although can be gusty in SW due to the hills on the Western side.
Location
Lyall Bay is a long (narrow) sandy bay located next to Wellington's airport and faces the Cook Strait. Picks-up a lot of southerly swell and the waves can get quite powerful with an onshore beach break. Combination of heavy waves, gusty onshore winds, windsurfers, proximity to the road (and buildings on the beach) make it unsuitable for any but extremely experienced riders. It is often neccessary to have to jump over breaking waves in order to sail out. Upwind sailing, and jumping and jibing are neccessary skills for sailing at Lyall. If you cannot confidently perform all of these skills, when it is blowing a southerly, please sail at Petone which is more suitable for beginners/intermediate kitesurfers.
The word: Awesome spot, can get massive waves
The Airport
Before sailing in Lyall Bay you MUST contact the airport control tower (particularly if you're the first there) and ask permission prior to launch (04) 387 1980. The control tower has the full responsibility for all airspace around the area and has the power to stop kites flying at Lyall. Some people have already been pulled over by airport security for launching without warning. Please obey their instructions and keep them happy. Local kitesurfers have worked hard to maintain a good working relationship with the control tower. Please respect these guidelines to keep Lyall bay open to kitesurfers. Please do not call the airport control tower just to ask the wind speed, use the web links
Special Circumstances on Lyall
These rules apply elsewhere but we are under the watchful eye of the airport, the surf club and the harbour master, it is not uncommon elsewhere in New Zealand that kiters are restricted on beaches, we need to preserve our integrity by realising we are one user of the beach and take special care on all beaches, lyall in particular can be a log jam and is very dangerous.
Setting up for the Launch
The only place to set-up, launch and land in Lyall bay is at the far west end/corner of the beach, in front of the toilet block, where the windsurfers also rig and launch from. This the most upwind point in the bay. Launching anywhere east of the lifesaving club buildings is not advisable as it is almost impossible to sail upwind through the shorebreak here. Please do NOT attempt to launch down at the east end of the beach by the airport.The beach is long and sandy but can be very narrow at high tide, so launching is recommended at low tide. A main road runs adjacent to the beach and not only does it have the usual power lines but also has high voltage bus power cables too. Launching in the corner can be gusty. Definitely not a place for the novice!
On the Water
Sailing is restricted to the west side of the bay, the Briscoes building marks the end of the fly zone, even better turn back at the ACCOUNTANTS building. Lyall Bay offers some of Wellingtons best conditions with good wind and waves for the advanced rider. The normal Southerly wind is cross-onshore from the right meaning starboard tack to get out through the surf. Lyall throws up some great rideable waves which can be ridden upwind (port tack) or down-the-line on starboard.
Other Swimmers
Please sail well clear of other swimmers, do not sail through surf life saving races, they also have the capability to ban us through regulation
KT kiting at Lyall Bay. |
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