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The Pier kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot

New Zealand · Canterbury

Spot currently openAdvanced level -43.51 | 172.73

Overview

The Pier is a kitesurfing spot located near the iconic New Brighton pier, in Christchurch. This well-known landmark on the Canterbury east coast marks the centre of the long New Brighton beach, one of the top kitesurfing locations in New Zealand. The Canterbury Nor'wester (NE) is the prevailing wind, blowing onshore to cross-onshore with regular strength. South winds bring side-shore conditions. Watch out for the pier itself which is a dangerous obstacle: it is imperative to sail well clear of the structure. The water is exposed to waves from Pegasus Bay. The spot is suitable for intermediate to advanced riders who are used to sailing near fixed obstacles. It is advisable to sail north or south of the pier, never directly near it. The sandy bottom and spacious beach provide easy access.
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Spot forecast for The Pier

Sunrise 06:29 · Sunset 19:58

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 6.6 km from the spot.

6:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:00Wed 21Thu 22Fri 23Sat 24Sun 25 Now01:041.8 m07:080.6 m13:242 m19:420.6 m01:481.9 m07:550.6 m14:072 m20:250.5 m02:321.9 m08:400.5 m14:502 m21:060.4 m03:172 m09:250.4 m15:362 m21:470.4 m04:032.1 m10:100.4 m16:222.1 m22:300.3 m
  • Wednesday 21 October High tide · 1.8 m Low tide · 0.6 m High tide · 2 m Low tide · 0.6 m
  • Thursday 22 October High tide · 1.9 m Low tide · 0.6 m High tide · 2 m Low tide · 0.5 m
  • Friday 23 October High tide · 1.9 m Low tide · 0.5 m High tide · 2 m Low tide · 0.4 m
  • Saturday 24 October High tide · 2 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 2 m Low tide · 0.4 m
  • Sunday 25 October High tide · 2.1 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 2.1 m Low tide · 0.3 m

The Pier: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

342h

in January · 30.5 rideable days

The season runs from September to March, peaking in January: 28 rideable days a month and 342 hours of usable wind, at 19 °C. The low point is July, at 15.5 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 40 January: 30.5 rideable days30.5 d J February: 26.5 rideable days F March: 27 rideable days M April: 21 rideable days A May: 17.5 rideable days M June: 17 rideable days J July: 15.5 rideable days15.5 d J August: 21 rideable days A September: 27.5 rideable days S October: 27 rideable days O November: 28 rideable days N December: 29.5 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 40 January: 30.5 rideable days30.5 d J February: 26.5 rideable days F March: 27 rideable days M April: 21 rideable days A May: 17.5 rideable days M June: 17 rideable days J July: 15.5 rideable days15.5 d J August: 21 rideable days A September: 27.5 rideable days S October: 27 rideable days O November: 28 rideable days N December: 29.5 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 71%13-20 knots · 28%21-30 knots · 1%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 71% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is June, at 11 °C. The wettest month is April, with 95 mm.

Monthly averages: The Pier
Monthly averages — The Pier — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 30.5 342 h 20 °C 55 mm
February 26.5 270 h 21 °C 26 mm
March 27.0 223 h 19 °C 45 mm
April 21.0 178 h 16 °C 95 mm
May 17.5 109 h 13 °C 60 mm
June 17.0 121 h 11 °C 83 mm
July 15.5 119 h 11 °C 37 mm
August 21.0 157 h 12 °C 54 mm
September 27.5 220 h 15 °C 48 mm
October 27.0 217 h 17 °C 82 mm
November 28.0 304 h 19 °C 48 mm
December 29.5 304 h 20 °C 70 mm

Photo gallery of The Pier

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Technical details of The Pier spot

N: Rideable NNE: Rideable NE: Rideable ENE: Rideable E: Depending on conditions ESE: Not rideable SE: Not rideable SSE: Depending on conditions S: Rideable SSW: Rideable SW: Depending on conditions WSW: Not rideable W: Not rideable WNW: Not rideable NW: Depending on conditions NNW: Rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, S, SSW, NNW.

Depending on conditions: E, SSE, SW, NW.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable
Spot opening date · Required level
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All spots: Canterbury

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