I’ve just put my feet down on UK turf after a hugely enjoyable trip to South Africa. Its the 3rd year running of this trip for me and I believe I have found the right balance for you to have an incredible trip. The dates were 29th Jan - 11th Feb 2012.
(Meet the 2012 South African Adventure Crew)
We spent one week in langebaan and one week in Blouberg just outside of Capetown. South Africa has so much to offer with kitesurfing even if the forecast is good - you just have to know where to go. One thing is for sure is that Langebaan provides some incredibly reliable kitesurfing conditions. The wind blows approximately 5 - 6 days per week during Nov - March. It is a lagoon so provides sheltered flat water from the big atlantic swells. Its basically a no brainer when it comes to kitesurfing holidays through the UK winter. You just have to go.
(Aidy questing out for a coaching session on front rolls to toeside and toeside front roll transitions)
During the trip we spent the first week in Langebaan. Its a coaching intense week so that you can gain the most out of your kitesurfing during this time. The town itself is very peaceful and relaxing with a small selection of resturants and shops and not much else. It means there is no distraction so provides a great opportunity to improve your level. There are a maximum of 6 places on the trip and during this week I will coach each person each day to help them accomplish new tricks, improve confidence and learn about self launching and self landing and other topics that are handy to know about. With like minded people on the trip and instant friendships form right away. This year was no exception.
There were 5 people who came this year. Birgit came from Mallorca, Mike and Adrian from Bournmouth, Nick from Southampton and Keith from London. Plus myself and Chris to help with the day to day runnings.
(spot the ostrich behind Nick)
On the first night we had a great big bbq, known as a braai once you step foot in to South Africa and a few beers and a chance to get to know each other. It all kicked off from there really. The group were of a good level working on jumping all the way through to unhooked tricks. Keith was mastering controlled jumps and back loops, while Mike and Adrian were learning moves from toeside, double rotations and different types of transitions. Birgit was working on her rotations and unhooked raileys and Nick was working on surface handle passes, darkslides and raileys. There was a good mixture of level and we spent the whole day on the beach with a quick lunch stop.
After one week and a lot of hours on the water everyone was pretty exhausted and ready for a change of scene so we packed up the hire cars and went to stay in a huge holiday house with 5 bedrooms down in Blouberg. The house was phenomenal and right on the sea.
(View from the bbq area at sunset)
Blouberg is just a few miles from Capetown so the vibe is an instant change to that of Langebaan. The peace and tranquility changed to an upbeat and lively atmosphere. It was a perfect mix. We celebrated an amazing first week with drinks and seafood while people watching in Camps Bay followed by some dancing in a club because Nick was more then ready to throw some shapes on the dance floor. With a cocktail or two to enjoy we had a great time until 1am before taking the taxi home.
(The last of the semi civilized photos of the evening)
Capetown is not normally as reliable for wind as Langebaan which is actually a good thing. Everyone’s bodies still tired and weary we had a couple of days of no wind to recover and instead spent the time checking out some must see South African attractions. We never had time to check out the big 5, but we found our own ’5′ when checking out the peninsula down the cape point. On our list we had ostriches, albetros, penguins, tortoises, lizards, baboons, rock dassies and spingbok. In fact that makes 7!
(King Baboon)
By the 3rd day in Capetown everyone had made a recovery from all the kiting and we were pleased to wake up to a windy day once again.
(Morning view of the table cloth over table mountain signifying a great day to come)
We rode during the day on 7m/9m’s and then for those who dared there was a evening session on the 6/7m’s too. When Capetown wants it really knows how to blow. So a 30 knot session at sunset was had by some while others watched on happy from there session earlier in the day.
From then on we had more days for the 7m, but not too over powered. We rode at Milnerton rivermouth, dolphin beach and Big bay. Everyone found themselves amongst challenging waves at some point, but with the endless miles of sandy beach its easier to feel safe amongst it. The waves roll in with a decent wave period and the wind blows directly across the shore making it very easy to time as either a wave rider or a newbie to the waves.
(Keith cruising in Shark Bay - there are not really sharks, its the nickname name given to ray’s that you will see here)
Birgit found herself between two waves over her head height, but remained between them until they broke and rolled in to something much smaller and managable. Keith and Nick were out riding behind the sets and venturing in when they felt ready while Mike and Aidy were out charging the waves at Calmers. Capetown definately has a few more challenges to offer after a week at Langebaan and the whole group agreed it was an epic second week to top the first. We finished the trip how we started with a few cool beers, a mountain of meat on the braai and lots of stories of the trip to regale.
(Some of the food we cooked up - ostrich kebabs, ostrich steak, whole chicken, chicken drumsticks and of course good old faithful sausages - yummy!)
The South Africa Adventure is always a trip where people have the reservations about crime, sharks and wetsuits, but dont believe the hype. Its a refreshing, exciting and incredible trip where I hope to provide you with the best holiday in years - may be in ever!
Thanks to Nick, Aidy, Mike, B, Keith and Chris for making the South Africa Adventure as exciting, fun and adventurous as it was! You rock!
