Estuary is Perfect for beginners in SW or W as you can only get washed up on the sand bank further down the estuary if you can't relaunch, and is cross onshore to the Foxton side. NW is cross off in the estuary so if you cannot keep upwind, ride in the surf on the beach as its cross on in a NW, otherwise you will end up on the Waiterere side with a long swim ahead of you. If you do end up on Waiterere side, you can downwind it across the estuary to the Manawatu sailing Club about 500m further inland, then get out there and walk the 10 minute esplanade walk back to the estuary set up point. Manawatu Estuary, flat water, sandy bottom. Be very mindful of Whitebaiters and fishermen along the edge of the estuary and stay out of their way when heading out into the estuary. Fishing lines don't make good necklaces. Stay closer to the beach and river mouth than the town as it gets gusty the further inland you get, as well as the bird sanctuary to look out for. The main channel of the river is on the far side of the estuary so stick to the Foxton side unless you're prepared for the current. 5 to 6 knot current at lower tide. If light wind, an outgoing tide is your friend as you get excellent wind against tide in the mouth. 8 knot sessions well doable in outgoing tide. Nice waves on the ocean side, flat inside river mouth. Big shallow area. On a spring low tide with a low tide level below 0.4m there is a really good speed bar from the end of the dunes at the river mouth going out to sea for about 700m. It's a square course in NW wind. West wind works best on the speed course. Big sandy beach, lots of space. Frontal driven winds, normally NW. Best from October to February. In the estuary, SW thru W to NW. Also SE. Works best in SW or W with outgoing tide. On the beach S thru W to N. Summer months, October to April around 20+°C), best May to June marginal. Water: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Smallwave. Features: Rooms, Camping, School, Shop, Repair, Rental, Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking. Rider ability: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert.
14 kn
W · gusts 22 kn
2.5 m
8s period
2.2 m
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Updated 24/08/2026, 03:46:56
Data: Open-Meteo
The main channel of the river is on the far side of the estuary so stick to the Foxton side unless you're prepared for the current. 5 to 6 knot current at lower tide. If light wind, an outgoing tide is your friend as you get excellent wind against tide in the mouth. 8 knot sessions well doable in outgoing tide. Big shallow area. On a spring low tide with a low tide level below 0.4m there is a really good speed bar from the end of the dunes at the river mouth going out to sea for about 700m. Works best in SW or W with outgoing tide.
Source: Kiteforum.com (community-contributed). Verify locally before riding.
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