zem6

http://www.kitebuggy.co.nz/ Muriwai, just outside of Auckland

Oct-Jan as you suggest is pretty close. Ski fields especially S. Island, should be great in Oct - zennon lives in CHCH (i Think) about 1hr from one of the better ones-take his word for best timing. In terms of north Island Jan/feb/March are the best months. Jan/Feb is warm and perfect for doing Nth Island beaches. Rule of thumb is Nth island is 2-3 Deg C warmer than Sth Isand (ignore what the temp gauges say, other than when a NW is blowing, Nth Island feels a lot warmer). Sorry if I offend the Sth islanders but you cant have everything... and yes I have lived in both Islands:)

just posted some bits and pices on another thread....(copied below:) ) for buying camper van try Turners car auctions- you should get much better deal than a car dealer. http://www.turners.co.nz/Branches/TurnersAuctions/tabid/285/Default.aspx Muriwai is supposed to be one of the best in North Island- not to far from Auckland...map at the bottom of this web page. For surfing- most of the North island has spots up both coasts. http://www.kiteworks.co.nz/Targets/upcoming%20events.htm from other post... Buggy to NZ The best you'll do is 100 GBP to airfreight to NZ You can buy from: kiteworks.co.nz (PL) or http://www.bayswaterwindsurf.co.nz/ (flexi) for not too much more than that. You'll need to upgrade tyres for the beach- that will cost a bit as well (another 100 GBP) - either kiteworks has tyres or http://www.patchrubber.co.nz/products/publish/p80.htm (in Auckland) 90 mile beach is at the top of the North Island (about 5-6hrs drive)- for something a lot more handy try Muriwai, just out of Auckland- also info on the kiteworks site about it. Once you've finished with the buggy sell it on http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Kite...n-84044994.htm hope that helps

The best you'll do is 100 GBP to airfreight to NZ You can buy from: kiteworks.co.nz (PL) or http://www.bayswaterwindsurf.co.nz/ (flexi) for not too much more than that. You'll need to upgrade tyres for the beach- that will cost a bit as well (another 100 GBP) - either kiteworks has tyres or http://www.patchrubber.co.nz/products/publish/p80.htm (in Auckland) 90 mile beach is at the top of the North Island (about 5-6hrs drive)- for something a lot more handy try Muriwai, just out of Auckland- also info on the kiteworks site about it. Once you've finished with the buggy sell it on http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Kitesurfing/auction-84044994.htm hope that helps

http://www.libre.de/english/f_index.htm

Thanks- much appreciated

Most of my kites are vampir's. They work great for me but would still like something for lighter wind days. I've seen a second hand Vampir Race Pro and although expensive the lighter material may be good for light wind days. I'm worried this is much more of a race kite in its handling. The vampir is just right for me and I don't really want anything that is more diffciult to fly. Is it a big difference in the handling? Am I best to stick to a 10m Vampir rather than the Pro version. Thanks for any help

If you have an ozone dealer local try the 3m Fury. I use Vampir's mostly but kept my 3m Little Devil for high winds (older model Fury)- great fun, almost no lift and plenty fast enough in the higher winds:D

Goggles These work well, cost almost nothing and fit well over normal glasses. Available from most hardware stores. £1-2 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-18050-Safety-Goggles-EN166B/dp/B0001K9Q6I

yeah, they can get it all back to front sometimes....kids education or a good flying spot- no choice really. Decent schools are easy to find, good beaches- now thats something else:)

I'm in Hamilton. I lived in CHCH a few years back but never buggyed there. I have tried Raglan (also west coast) but I'm lucky with a large park local (used to be the local dump so all flat and grassed) so no need to travel. U get clean wind in CHCH? It must be hard to get a nice clean easterly?

Within 30mins of Auckland CBD you have some of the best buggying there is. You can go west coast or east coast but Muriwai on the West Coast is as good as it gets. Its km's and km's of wide beach- its on the west coast which has the best/prevailing wind. see also http://www.kiteworks.co.nz/Targets/upcoming%20events.htm There's also not so many people as on the east coast ( Try google earth 36°28'26.33"S 174°10'19.14"E also http://www.arc.govt.nz/auckland-regional-parks/western-parks/muriwai.cfm

All depends how wet/muddy This weekend I used something similiar to the scorpion lights (winter here). The rear was still sliding a lot but it was very wet. Lots of surface water and squelch/mud under foot. They didnt cut up the ground as much as I expected though- caught in the grass but didnt dig into the ground too much. I use something simliar to the 15Euro tyres for summer use- IMHO they wouldn't offer much grip in winter. I would go with the snowhogs for winter but if you are using your buggy a place that you can't cut up the ground at all.....I'm not sure what you can do,

I told my wife about this thread. Her rules are... a couple of hours at the weekend OK a day forget it unless its a special occasion...my birthday our anniversary....forget it Cool- that's more than I thought I could get away with:) Probably helps my mates are into fishing.Thats a whole day each time. Even if the kids dont buggy (too young) its a family friendly sport if you compare to golf, fishing etc Greg

To be fair though, 2.5yr and 6mth olds- kids that age can be real hard work. I got into kites to go do something that didn't leave the wife at home too long with the kids. Park at the end of the road so buggying worked out great. It sounds like your mate does need to put his foot down though and get some 1-2hrs sessions. Everyone needs a bit of a break. If you thinking 4-6hrs ....nah with kids that age