People who aren’t from Tasmania often ask why we’re called Roaring 40°s Kayaking and we’re proud to explain that it’s the name of our winds associated with southern latitudes of 40º.
Consistent westerly airstreams are fueled by the continuous passage of low-pressure systems off the southern ocean. They blow strongest in spring and are caused by the combination of air being displaced from the Equator to the South Pole as the Earth rotates.
These Roaring Forties winds were a major assistance to trade ships sailing from Europe to the East Indies or Australasia and these days are still harnessed by yachts on round-the-world voyages.
Although influencing our entire island, it's the mountainous western region of Tasmania that was shaped most by these winds and still receive the full force with gusts up to 200 km/hr.
During summer the Roaring Forties move towards the South Pole where they become stronger and are known as the Furious Fifties and then Screaming Sixties!