Hi,
I'm planning to go on a surfing trip to South Africa in this October.
I would like what are the best places over there for freestyle surfing,
and what kite size is recommended (for 85 kg surfer).



Thanks a lot,
Ofir.

I'm not the best expert on here so will let the experts comment, but October is early in the season.

You'll probably want a big kite say around 12 meters and a small one around 8. There is tons of great coastline to explore.

Aside from that the place is amazing. I'm looking to rent a place the in january for a month I loved it so much.

Water is cold. Bring a full body wetsuit.

You'll love it!

I would agree that October is a little early for the pumping South Easters, but there still should be a good amount of wind. I’d also suggest a 12 and an 8 or 9. I’m same weight as you and 9 was my most used size in my two years there. There’s usually a fairly steady build-up in the South East Cape Dr, so if some days look to be honking, just get out earlier mid to late morning. Can’t actually remember what last October was like.

Look to stay anywhere along the West Coast area- Bloubergstrand, Table View, Melkbosstrand etc. There’s about 15-20kms of kite beaches along here with varying degrees of swell (Hakgaat for the bigger waves). My favourite spot was always Dolphin Beach.

There’s potential to do nice long down-winders too with arranged drop-off n pick-up. Google “thekitesnest”

If you want flat water, head up to Langebaan lagoon (about an hour drive), where you’ve got Main Beach in town, or Klein Oesterwaal (Shark Bay), which is very shallow. Both within 5 mins drive of each other.

My Father-in-Law has a nice little self contained flatlet a walkable distance to both these places in Langebaan. I can provide details if you’re interested.

Plenty of places to kite, plenty of kite shops, plenty of après-kiting watering/ eating holes!

I long to be back there…..sniff…………..

If you can only bring one kite, I would say bring the 9m. The wind for October averages 15-20kn in Cape Town with the occasional stronger day. You might also like to check out PE/Cannon Rocks which has some good wind and waves that time of year.

If you are going to rent a car I would suggest following windguru forecast while you are here and chase the wind around the Southern African coast. There are plenty of guest houses along all our coasts so its not a problem finding accommodation on the fly.

If you prefer to stay in on place and not rent a car then anywhere in Blouberg will work for you.

Hi,
I'm going to be in Capetown in January till beginning of February: is it often going to be more than 30-35 knots?
And how is the strongest Wind in Langebaan?
My smallest is a 7 and I'm not comfortable with this one when it is more than 35...
Thanks for your Help,
Micha

Yep, Cannon Rocks is the place at the moment. Using anything from an 11 to a 5m in the last two weeks.

www.cannonrocks.com



Wind gets strong that time of the year, but it normally builds over the day so you should still be able to get decent sessions.

Ced

Yep, wind will be h o n k i n g that time of year

I'd say 35knt + days are probably few n far between in general, but as stated above, just make sure you get out in the morning. The wind seems to really pick-up about 1pm onwards and probably builds to the 35knt mark some evenings. Great thing is this fairly linear curve of wind strength over time of day during the summer.

I would say 7m is probably the smallest size most riders use- it's only the loons that venture out in the 5m conditions.

Other "general" rule-of-thumb, is that the winds drop off a little the more north you go- i.e if Blouberg etc is blown-out, you'll probably find conditions an hour up the road in Langebaan aren't quite as hectic (esp Shark Bay)

Check out the two websites below for more local feedback. ikitebaording seems to be dying a death, but hopefully the dirtyhabits forum will pick up momentum soon when the summer winds begin to creep back...


http://www.ikiteboarding.com/

http://dirtyhabits.org/

I got out on a five meter way down by the cape of good hope last February. This was intense kiting. I originally pumped up my 8 meter but was massively overpowered. I took my sister in laws kite instead and had a blast.

The spot by the cape of good hope is intense. The water is freezing, the surf is mean, there are baboons...

As a kite store owner for 12 years in Cape Town, I would agree generaly with the advice already given.

At 85kg if I was coming to Cape Town in October with a TT, I would have 12.0, 9.0 and 7.0 - on a directional wave board probably 10.0 and 7.0.

In Jan/Feb same sizes except if I was 70 - 80kg then I would have 1 size smaller all round.
There are however a few days when I would need a 5.0, if I desperately needed to kite

Thank you very much!!