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Though not as good as Nelson Bay (I'm definitely not biased at all) Newcastle still has some great spots!
Windiest Times
April and September are generally the least windy times in Newcastle. Throughout the winter you can get extremely strong westerlies (40+ knots) and southerlies which are just as strong. Here southerlies are generally caused by storm systems moving in so expect rain and cold weather. The Nor-Westers s are generally more clear skies though they can be quite gusty in Newcastle spots due to not having much water for them to travel over.
Forecasts:
For Newcastle live wind check the willy weather wind report for Nobbys Beach which gives pretty reliable readings for all directions. The live will generally be a bit under what the lighthouse is reading as it is on top of a hill.
Locations:
Nobby's Beach
Kiteable Directions:
S-NE
Features:
Waves
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Setup Location:
Set up way up the beach away from the flags.
Hazards:
Lots of submerged rocks/reef.
Can have quite strong currents and lots of water moving in different directions.
Overview:
Nobby's is probably the most popular place to kite a NE and Southerly in Newcastle. It's got decent access to waves.
Make sure you set up quite far up the beach to avoid the ire of the local lifeguards.
You can enjoy some pretty decent wave sessions here up towards the point.
Merewether/Dixon/Bar Beach
Kiteable Directions:
S-NE
Features:
Waves
Difficulty:
Strong Beginner/Intermediate
Setup Location:
Set up between Dixon and Merewether
Hazards:
Lots of submerged rocks.
Can have quite strong currents and lots of water moving in different directions.
Can have heavy shorebreak.
Overview:
Generally a bit calmer waves than Nobbys and more beginner-friendly. I really dialled in my board riding skills here in the NEasters and SEasters.
Usually way fewer kiters here than Nobby's and it just feels like you have way more space to move around and try new things.
Redhead-Blacksmiths Beach
Kiteable Directions:
SW-NE.
Features:
Waves.
Great downwinder opportunity in S or NE.
Difficulty:
Strong Beginner/Intermediate.
Setup Location:
You can set up at either Redhead, Blacksmiths or Swansea.
Hazards:
The top of Redhead can be a bit gusty in a NE so head down the beach a bit to set up.
SW can be a bit gusty especially if it swings more West.
Overview:
Very enjoyable beach, heaps of space to spread out and explore. Great place to start doing downwinders to get up those board and jump skills and get comfortable in waves.
Can be fun to park a car at Redhead and at Swansea or Blacksmiths and do a downwinder if you're just starting up.
Salts Bay
Kiteable Directions:
NE
Features:
Flat Water
Shallow Water
Difficulty:
Beginner
Setup Locations:
Park at Swansea Heads and walk over towards Mats Point for setup.
Hazards:
Razor clams. They will cut you severely. Wear booties. Picture an oyster as big as your head poking up out of the mud just begging for you to step on them- Wear Booties, I know they suck. Wear them anyway. Seriously.
Current absolutely rips out upwind on mid-tide and will take your board to New Zealand.
If you get stuck in it wait for it to take you out and just swim to the north side of the break wall and in onto the beach.
Launch can be a little tight on high tide with the trees right behind the beach.
Overview:
Great place to get up your confidence on the board during low tide where you can stand up for quite a way out.
Flat water on a NE to practice jumps and unhooked with minimal repercussions.
Belmont South (Squids)
Kiteable Directions:
W-NW
Features:
Flat Water
Shallow Water
Difficulty:
Beginner - Challenging Launch. Water launch recommended if you're uncomfortable dealing with gusty launch conditions.
Setup Locations:
Park at the entrance of the holiday park and walk up to Cane Point.
Hazards:
Razor clams. They will cut you severely. Wear booties. Picture an oyster as big as your head poking up out of the mud just begging for you to step on them- Wear Booties, I know they suck. Wear them anyway. Seriously.
Do not self-launch at Cane Point. The trees have claimed so many kites Dave from Kite and Sup should probably give them a commission. The bushes and trees upwind of where you launch cause it to be quite gusty and it is very likely your kite will stall backwards. Get someone to launch you. If you are not 100% confident do a drift launch or walk out into the water and get someone to launch you from the rocks.
Downwind of the kite spot is a highway and a bunch of power lines. Do not be another person whose kite ends up on the highway or in the power lines so if you can't upwind confidently stop well clear of the bottom of the lake and walk or upwind bodydrag back.
Overview:
The only decent place for a Westerly in the Newcastle area. All pretty shallow water so good for learning except for the tight launch.
Not too choppy so good to practice your board skills and jumps.
Can get absolutely lit here in massive westerlies and jump insanely high!
Swansea Co-op
Kiteable Directions:
S-SW
Features:
Flat Water
Shallow Water
Difficulty:
Beginner - Semi-Challenging Launch. Can drift launch or get someone to walk out and launch you in the water.
Setup Locations:
Park opposite Forbes street and walk down to the clearing.
Easiest and safest way to launch is to walk out into the water and to get someone to launch you from the shore.
Hazards:
Razor clams. They will cut you severely. Wear booties. Picture an oyster as big as your head poking up out of the mud just begging for you to step on them- Wear Booties, I know they suck. Wear them anyway. Seriously.
Launch can be a little bit gusty from the trees and your kite can backstall into the trees downwind of you so you can do a drift launch or get someone to hold the kite on the short or just in the water for you where the wind clears up.
The wind will generally die as the storm system bringing the SW wind moves North and it tends to swing SE (offshore) as it dies. I would recommend (from experience) coming close to shore when this starts to happen as it tends to not pick back up again - especially if it's in the afternoon.
Overview:
Great spot for a southerly if you aren't into waves and like flat water.
About 200 metres wide and 600m of shallow water to practice and get better at riding.
If you tack upwind about a kilometre there are some islands that create some of the best flat water in the whole Newcastle region.
In Summary
Newcastle has a heap of options for all wind directions if you know where to go. Obviously, not as picturesque or as many options as Nelson Bay but you do the best with what you've got :P
If you are looking to level up your Kitesurfing, Hydrofoiling or Winging skills or join our social riding community contact us, we'd love to help and have you become part of the crew!
If you're interested in riding in exotic locations check out our next tour here: