Windy weekend bliss for kite surfers

Kite surfer Phil Whittaker of Levin nears the end of his epic downwinder from Waiinu Beach to Whanganui yesterday. Wanganui Chronicle Photograph by Stuart Munro.

You might think it's no fun being out on the water in 60km/h wind gusts but for a group of adventuring kite surfers yesterday's conditions proved to be perfect.

"It doesn't get better than that," brimmed Tom Hunter from Hawke's Bay.

He was one of eleven kite surfers, including four from Whanganui, who sailed from Waiinu Beach to Whanganui yesterday.

Their 28km journey took a little under three hours, including a small rest stop at Kai Iwi, to reach and cross the Whanganui bar.

They encountered three metre swells, gnarly seas and average wind speeds of 35km/h, gusting up to 60km/h.

"It's not something you should do alone, that would be dangerous. But with a group ... it was epic," Mr Hunter said.

Kite surfing is an emerging sport and has picked up where wind surfing left off. Most of those who sailed yesterday are former wind surfers.

"It's easier and relatively inexpensive to get into. For less than $1000 you can be out there with everything you need."

The trip was the third in a summer series run by the Wind Warriors kite surfing school based at Foxton Beach.

Owner Glen Butcher said they did the run for the first time last year and decided to make it annual. "It's the best one we do, an amazing coastline," Mr Butcher said.

Whanganui wind surfer Baz Broadhead said it had been a great day without incident and some "massive surf."

The Wind Warriors run kite nights for learners and those interested in kite surfing on Wednesday nights at Foxton Beach between 6-8pm.

"Anyone keen to give it a go is welcome to come down and give it try."