Cape Town Visitors - A reminder about manners

[Van Hunk]

Ah the fairest Cape. Where the scenery is breath taking, the wind endless, the food and wine wonderful and the Euro and Sterling goes a long long way. Us South Africans certainly feel our home spots are something very special. And so does the rest of the world. Americans, Canadians, Germans, Swedes, Norwegian, Italians, French, Spanish, Lebanese, Brits, Dutchies, to name but a few nationalities, visit the tip of Africa over our Summer. To kite. And to have a blast.

Which certainly makes it crowded at times. And obviously dangerous – and this is where manners and consideration for our fellow water users become increasingly important.

From recent interactions it seems that manners are no longer instilled in large parts of Europe. In fact, it has been replaced by a sense of entitlement that just boggles the mind.

So, for those travellers who plan to come to the RSA – or who are here already – below are a few basic rules. Stick to them and you will have the time of your life. Guaranteed.

1.Be friendly and smile! You are in Sunny SA!
2.The first 50m of water is for guys coming in or leaving the water. Don’t jump or do free style here. It is just dumb.
3.Roll your lines up when you have landed your kite, or someone will do it for you.
4.Rider with right hand forward on bar has right of way.
5.Avoid beginners and give them right of way.
6.And this is important. NEVER EVER scream or shout at someone on the water - this seems to be a distinctly European trait. The person you scream at might be a local. And you are in Africa. And we don’t scream at each other. If your parents have not taught you manners – the South African locals will. Swiftly.

[Nico]

[Rbgar]

Time to break out the sjambok

[Nico]

Are knobkerries excluded ?

[RickI]

1.Be friendly and smile! You are in Sunny SA!
2.The first 50m of water is for guys coming in or leaving the water. Don’t jump or do free style here. It is just dumb.
3.Roll your lines up when you have landed your kite, or someone will do it for you.
4.Rider with right hand forward on bar has right of way.
5.Avoid beginners and give them right of way.
6.And this is important. NEVER EVER scream or shout at someone on the water - this seems to be a distinctly European trait. The person you scream at might be a local. And you are in Africa. And we don’t scream at each other. If your parents have not taught you manners – the South African locals will. Swiftly.

These simple manners would apply in many, most crowded launches the world over. They would motivate more enjoyable sessions, fewer hassles and threats to access. Thanks for posting!


.

[Toby]

Fair enough and very mannered said.

Good post and should be at every spot like this.

I hope you won't have too many misbehaving people.

Have a great season!

[piccio]

try to understand and forgive us ,rarely we have your wind and waves and really not very taught on rules.
usually we do not have waves but many "holes" messy water and
many kiter on the same spot.our most used kites are from 9 to 12 meter with relative breeze ,not very used at extra speed of 5 6 mt kite.
you are saying go somewhere else..........
impossible!!!!!!
how can we miss hakgat ,big bay ,platboom ,old biscuit market,carne sa,gansbai whites and quiet and calm atmosphere all aroud!!!!!
march can be better?little less wind ,less crowd ,?
ciao

[Laughingman]

try to understand and forgive us ,rarely we have your wind and waves and really not very taught on rules.
usually we do not have waves but many "holes" messy water and
many kiter on the same spot.our most used kites are from 9 to 12 meter with relative breeze ,not very used at extra speed of 5 6 mt kite.
you are saying go somewhere else..........
impossible!!!!!!
how can we miss hakgat ,big bay ,platboom ,old biscuit market,carne sa,gansbai whites and quiet and calm atmosphere all aroud!!!!!
march can be better?little less wind ,less crowd ,?
ciao

You would think with such poor home conditions, with crowed beaches some etiquette would be learned... where is the BKSA on all this? I would have thought with such a well organized association instructors would be teaching the rules....

[alamos_kiter]

...manners...

yeah man, brilliant analysis. Say no more.

Consider setting sharks on those who don't behave.

[claudio er giostraro]

Ah the fairest Cape. Where the scenery is breath taking, the wind endless, the food and wine wonderful and the Euro and Sterling goes a long long way. Us South Africans certainly feel our home spots are something very special. And so does the rest of the world. Americans, Canadians, Germans, Swedes, Norwegian, Italians, French, Spanish, Lebanese, Brits, Dutchies, to name but a few nationalities, visit the tip of Africa over our Summer. To kite. And to have a blast.

Which certainly makes it crowded at times. And obviously dangerous – and this is where manners and consideration for our fellow water users become increasingly important.

From recent interactions it seems that manners are no longer instilled in large parts of Europe. In fact, it has been replaced by a sense of entitlement that just boggles the mind.

So, for those travellers who plan to come to the RSA – or who are here already – below are a few basic rules. Stick to them and you will have the time of your life. Guaranteed.

1.Be friendly and smile! You are in Sunny SA!
2.The first 50m of water is for guys coming in or leaving the water. Don’t jump or do free style here. It is just dumb.
3.Roll your lines up when you have landed your kite, or someone will do it for you.
4.Rider with right hand forward on bar has right of way.
5.Avoid beginners and give them right of way.
6.And this is important. NEVER EVER scream or shout at someone on the water - this seems to be a distinctly European trait. The person you scream at might be a local. And you are in Africa. And we don’t scream at each other. If your parents have not taught you manners – the South African locals will. Swiftly.

Thanks for advice buddy, but I think this year I'll remain here in Italy to drink very good wine, eat very good lasagna with very smiling friends and kiting in very good spots in our southern Italy where there is not the great white .... be happy and very good wind buddy!