Rotorua - Ohau Channel

Wind Directions (wind range) - Onshore, W to SW.

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Wind conditions - Westerly winds are funnelled through surrounding hills making the Ohau Channel area of Lake Rotorua windier and more steady than most other places in the Bay of Plenty. The wind is very smooth on clear sky westerlies. Strong squalls are possible in passing fronts.

Surface conditions - Choppy. There is a sand-bar 200m upwind which provides some small wave action and ramps to launch off in strong wind.

Tides - None. Water depth is waist to shoulder deep for a long way out. The lake is usually shallower in summer. There is the occasional rock on the bottom.

Launching and Landing - Launch from the Te Piko O Ngati Parua Reserve beside Marana Resort. Space is limited. CAUTION: There are nearby trees and power-lines. Self-launching is not advisable.

Other Info and General Safety Tips - Water temperature varies considerably, from 8C in winter to over 20C in summer. Algal blooms are possible in late summer which can lead to the Environment BoP closing the lake for water-sports. NOTE: The launch site is Maori land so please be respectful and don't abuse it.

This information kindly supplied by Simon Papps.