hey madness...

i'm off to SA next thursday, and you said you would fill me in on oem good spots to go to in CT and durban... did you get my email???

brian

Hi Brain.

I sent you an email ages ago.. through this forum..
Not sure why you did not get it.

To be honest there are hundreds of spots all along the coast line.
West or East Coast. Cape Town and Durban fight it out over who has the better waves and wind. I would be quite content just kite surfing in Cape Town.

The following info will be about Kite Beach, Big Bay and Langebaan .

ACCOMMODATION

Have a look at my website
www.bigbaybeachclub.com/kitesurfing.htm

My units range from 160 NZ Dollars for the 2 bedroom and 125 NZD for the 1 bedroom. The all have views of Big Bay beach, Robben Island and Table Mountain.
Let me know if you need accommodation and I check if I have availability for you.
You will also get to meet a lot of international kite surfers as they stay in the complex over the summer..

You can find cheaper accommodation if you stay in one of the kite surfing hostels in the area. www.windswept.co.za/

KITE BEACH

Kite beach is the main spot for kiting in SA. On a good day there are a couple hundred kites out. The wind is cross shore and the beach goes on for ages.. so no problem with being over crowded. The main place for rigging is in-front of the Tourist info centre.. Reason is its a great place to show off in-front of the pubs and restaurants.. lol.. This is also were all the comps in Cape Town are held. There are a few over the summer, so get practising.

(This is a old panoramic shot of kite beach small wave day)

www.beehive.co.za/virtualtours/winds/kitescene.htm


BIG BAY

Next to Kite Beach is Big Bay.
Its actually a small bay.. YUP I KNOW.. odd.
This is a popular surf beach and tends to get crowded with wind surfers, surfers and kite surfers. Reason for this is the waves are awesome and all round great spot. Most of the footage from CT are from these two beaches.

Over the summer.. When I think you are going to be there..
The wind is mainly from the SE. (Cape Doctor).. as its called.
You will notice the SE coming in over Table Mountain. The mountain goes white on top. Hence Table mountain (Table cloth). 20 min after the cloud forms on the mountain it will pick up on Kite Beach. Most guys start on 12 meter then go down to 6+ meter.
If the wind comes in early you know its will be to strong in the arvo to kite. Should start mid to late morning. Cranking by 3pm.
You will also find the wind to have a lot of lift. Reason for this is the water in Cape Town is farging cold.. The sea breeze is very dense and more powerful than the average wind of this strength. IE 20 knots = 25 knots.

I am not sure what your skill level is like. If you are still a beginner I would not recommend kite surfing along Kite Beach or Big Bay. The waves get pretty big (can be small some days).

The best place for beginners is Langabaan. Its about 40 min north along the West Coast. The best spot there is Shark Bay.
(only small sharks !!.. promise). If you want to see a few pictures and panoramic shots of Langebaan check out.
www.capesport.co.za/
They also have great accommodation and focus only on kite and windsurfers.

Some of the locations pointed out on the picture.

Every year there is a Robben Island race.. Not sure when its is.
It takes about 1:40 I think to do the trip across and back.. may be wrong.

Melbos.. great waves spot. Lighter winds for when Big bay and kite beach are to strong.

Hope this helps
OK.. off to bed..

i love those pics!

that one taken from big bay is bloody awesome (with the one of TM in it).

Hey Madness if you own your own hotel in CT on the beach with that sorta view.... then what sorta drugs were ya takin when you decided to come over here?

3 reasons..

Adventure, wife, and to teach the kiwis how to play Rugby !!!
Was 1995 that long ago?

ah yes an underhanded tactic from the wife to stop you from kitesurfing... hence why she wanted to go to NZ and not OZ.

yeah gotta admit that NZ is pretty crap at playing rugby.. heck even the ozzies can beat us.

but what is really scary madness is that you put rugby and the wife BEFORE kitesurfing! yep i think drugs had a part to play :wink:

cheers madness, will be very helpful