FERGUSSON PARK // Matua, Tauranga
WEST FACING BEACH
Fergusson Park SSW to NE
NORTH-EAST FACING BEACH
Fergusson Park NW to ESE
WIND CONDITIONS (WEST-FACING BEACH)
- Wind range from SSW through to NE.
- SSW-SW is often quite gusty, as the wind is coming from the Kaimai Ranges.
- W is generally more consistent.
- NW can be awesome at low tides for flat water.
- N and NE winds are quite consistent, but can be patchy at times due to the wind coming over Matakana Is and/or Mount Maunganui.
LAUNCHING / LANDING (WEST FACING BEACH)
- There is a large grassy area for setting up, launching and landing.
- Keep your kite low to the ground, and if possible always get someone else to help you with launching and landing.
- If the tides out, we recommend walking your kite out 50m to launch. This will save yourself a lot of potential risk and hassle.
CAUTION: Be careful when launching and landing on SSW-W winds, it can be extremely swirly/gusty due to houses and a mini headland up wind. Always get someone to help you.
WIND CONDITIONS (NORTH-EAST FACING BEACH)
- Wind range from NW (cross shore from the left) through to ESE.
- NW can be good.
- N and NE winds are quite consistent, but can be patchy at times due to the wind coming over Matakana Is and/or Mount Maunganui.
- E winds can be awesome, and generally are quite consistent.
- The port is upwind on ESE winds, which causes the wind to be a bit patchy.
LAUNCHING / LANDING (NORTH-EAST FACING BEACH)
- At this spot there are large trees completely lining the shore.
- There is a large grassy area amongst trees for pumping up, but launching and landing can be difficult at high tide when there’s no beach.
- There is a small grassy area right by the trees, so BE CAREFUL when launching and landing here.
- Keep your kite low to the ground, and if possible always get someone else to help you with launching and landing.
- If the tides out, we recommend walking your kite out 50m to launch. This will save yourself a lot of potential risk and hassle.
SURFACE CONDTIONS
- Water conditions range from dead flat to very choppy. It depends on the tidal/wind direction, and tide heights, i.e. sandbars show at low tide, generally making smoother water conditions.
- The harbour bed at Fergusson Park is firm and sandy, with patches of cockle shells. We suggest booties if you are learning or going to spend a lot of time walking.
TIDES
- Works on any tide. There’s always water in the channel.
- Ideal conditions are when tidal flow opposes wind flow, i.e. incoming tide in SSW-W, or outgoing tide in N-NE.
- In NW winds the tide doesn’t affect riding too much (however, it can when riding the North-east facing beach).
GENERAL INFO / SAFETY TIPS
- The Assault Kiteboarding Centre School often operates from this location. Please be courteous to those new comers to the sport, and give them plenty of space for their and your own safety.
- There are rocks around the boat ramp, and a tree lined shore. Give yourself plenty of downwind space before the boat ramp and trees. We have seen plenty of kites stuck in trees, and some dragged over the rocks. Just be aware of how close you are to these obstacles.
- In good weather Fergusson Park is a popular picnic and swimming location. Please be considerate and stay well away from anyone in the water. We all want to keep our spots in the Bay open for Kiteboarding.
- For novice and some intermediate riders, when the wind and tide are going the same way, staying upwind can be difficult. Keep your first few runs from the beach very short to start with to see how you are going. This could save yourself a big swim or long walk, or others in the park a rescue mission!
- Fergusson Park is a great spot for spectators to watch the action up close. There is parking all the way along the beach front. There are toilets and changing rooms down by the boat ramp.