Hawea Flat Whitewater Park ( The Wave)

The Hawea Whitewater Park, also known as "The Wave," is a community facility located on the Hawea River at Camphill Bridge in New Zealand.

The park was built in late 2012 and features two river-waves that are perfect for kayakers, bodyboarders, surfers, and rafters. The larger wave is located closer to the bridge and is better suited for kayaking, while the smaller wave is bouncy and soft, making it ideal for shorter boats and boards.

The Hawea River is a relatively short river that flows out of Lake Hawea into the Clutha River. The flow of the wave is controlled by floodgates, which makes it very consistent. It usually takes an hour or two after the Hawea dam release for a stable wave to form. The wave is not very large, but it is perfect for those who are looking for a fun and challenging ride. The wave is very cold all year round, so a wetsuit is required. The best time to surf the wave is at 50-60 cumecs, and it starts getting a bit tricky at higher flows.

The Hawea Whitewater Park is a free facility that is open to the public, and it is a great place to spend a day with family and friends. The park is located near Wanaka, New Zealand, and it is easily accessible by car. The latitude of the park is -44.65007029640177, and the longitude is 169.24592690141367. The flow of the wave can be checked on the Otago Regional Council website, and Central Otago Whitewater has further information on the park. In summary, the Hawea Whitewater Park is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves kayaking, white water, bodyboarding, and surfing. It is a purpose-built community facility that is free to use and features two river-waves that are perfect for all skill levels.