Kite Surfing - South Africa

Kitesurfing in South Africa.

Also known as kiteboarding, is a sport whereby a person stands on a board, similar to surfing but with straps for the feet, while holding onto a kite, and is blown along the surface of the ocean so that the person surfs or rides on the waves. One of the biggest reasons why people are drawn to this sport is that if conditions are appropriate, the force of the wind is able to lift a kitesurfer off the water so that he flies through the air.

Kitesurfing can provide endless hours of fun, as well as give your body a great workout, but unless care is taken, it can be dangerous to other kitesurfers and people on the beach or in the water. Kitesurfing is the fastest way of sailing on the water, with the fastest recorded speed being 93,66 km/ph. Travelling at such high speeds can be potentially hazardous as you will not be able to stop immediately or turn easily. Strong, sudden gusts of wind can also cause a kitesurfer to lose control, endangering himself and others. It is, therefore, important to be aware of those around you while kitesurfing.

Kitesurfing has become a very popular adventure activity in recent years, resulting in a number of schools that offer kitesurfing lessons. These schools will have qualified instructors to introduce you to the basics of kitesurfing, including getting up onto the board, harnessing the wind, a few simple turns once you are up on the waves, and how to stop, as well as how to pack and unpack the kite. Many of these schools offer lessons throughout the year and several times a day. They will provide all of the equipment that you will need during your training.

Many of the kitesurfing schools also sell high-quality kitesurfing equipment, so you can get everything that you will need to kitesurf by yourself. The sales assistants will also be able to advise you on brands, strength and sizes, to ensure that your equipment is the right fit for you. As with normal surfboards, kitesurfing boards can be customised to suit your preferences and requirements. Some of these establishments will also do repairs to kitesurfing equipment.

Although there are some risks involved, kitesurfing is an addictive sport that gets the adrenaline going for the most exhilarating ride of your life.

South Africa is well blessed with wind. Now not everybody considers that a blessing but, if you are a boardsailor or kite surfer, you’ll definitely think it’s a good thing. There is great sailing all along the coast but the Western Cape has a bit of an edge on the rest of the country, and two places stand out. Langebaan, which lies about an hour north of Cape Town, is widely recognised to be one of the best wind surfing and kite surfing spots in the entire world. And a whole wind and kite surfing culture has grown up around the fabulous lagoon with its turquoise water and dependable afternoon wind.

It’s one of those places where guest houses have wetsuit-drying racks in the showers, and South Africa’s biggest wind surfing and kite surfing shop is situated right on the beach Everything’s there.

The other renowned spot is Big Bay in Cape Town. Of course, the reliable wind and waves have something to do with it, but it probably owes a lot of its popularity to the backdrop of Table Mountain. Who could resist having their photo taken in front of that iconic lump of rock while being pulled along by the South Easter on a big wave?

But there is great sailing, and there are reputable dealers and schools all along the coast – and even inland.