Well, might have been sailed before, I have no idea. I was there yesterday, and should have gone out, it looked great, but after being bogged had to get back to Strahan (see hazards of work thread). Line on map is 1.5Km, and reckon this channel would work in W to SW to S, at low tide sandbar is exposed, and mirror flat water.
Hope I haven't exposed someone's secret spot - but doubt it.
guys,
typically for a good speed strip you don't want the wind coming from the land. something where it travels a decent distance over water is the go.
check out the channel west of Akaroa. try that in a SW wind.......
gotta love google earth hey. 
what about NE?
ok i looked at the bom wind rose for St Hellens. 
W and NW it is. bummer.
best ive had in a n-easter is about 20 knots about the same as the sea breezes if you want real wind wate for spring when the norwesters blow it funnels down between two mountain rangers 
I always wondered if these canals would be good. Coming off land but it is pool table flat for miles and miles around (zoom out and hit 'terrain' button).
It's not clear on the map but the canals are actually built higher than the surrounding countryside gently sloping up about 4-5 metres. This would affect the wind but the canals are not in any way sheltered.
Yes, the water is really that colour. Yes, there would be extreme shrinkage although people water-ski nearby during summer. It would make a *very photogenic record attempt for a kiwi.
> The canal:
www.google.com.au:443/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=-44.218754,170.071106&spn=0.069879,0.189171&t=k&z=13&om=0
The water looks something like this, this is the lake that feeds it:
Hmmm. The hills to the south might churn the wind up a bit but there is some distance from them. This pic from Google Earth shows it pretty well in a WSW to SW breeze I would guess. Lots of potential for sure!!!
Link to High res original: 
Waaaay back in 1988 I went on a skiing trip in this land. I have vivid memories of a scary ride along the banks of this canal (highway follows it) in such strong cross winds that the van was slewing from one side of the road to the other. We immediatly marked it as a definite possible speed strip. Never got back there though. Wonder why the locals have not mentioned it? Maybe the prevailing wind direction is wrong? I know they can blow 30 knots plus!!!
You sound like your a nano second away from speed addiction easty
Grab a gps and join the seekers
