South Africa Windsurfing?

sdreier · Joined: 30 Apr 1998 Posts: 12

Im thinking of going to South Africa in Jan/Feb. Does anyone have information on windsurfing there? Ive heard it is *good*, but details have been sketchy. Will it require a lot of driving around? Will it be good for my working-on-the-back-footstrap wife? And just how cold is that water?

flykatcher · Joined: 01 Jul 2002 Posts: 12

I have had a few friends go to Cape Town, and it HOWLS during January-February, side on port tack.
There is a healthy wind/kite scene,the water is cold like Waddell,you can drive or stay around Cape Town,there are some sick wave spots(Eelands bay)
and as far as I know your wife is going to need a small sail.
Great place to go, and cheap. Charge it.

areysen · Joined: 01 Jul 2000 Posts: 19

Wind is great Dec-Jan-feb. Pretty reliable in the Cape Town area. West coast is upwelling, so cold. Up N about 1.5 hr drive (or is it 3?) is Langerbaan, COLD, but a great place for learning, jibing, flatter water, 20 knots or more. You can rent equipment there.
Around Cape Town, little lakes, for learning, but then great ocean sailing, at Blouberg, Muizenberg (warmer side, smaller waves),Kommetjie and all along the coast to the point.
Along the coast to Port Elizabeth there are numerous great places to sail, flat water (Swartvlei, near Sedgefield/ Knysna) and then again lots of good wave and ocean sailing.
Sharks are more of an issue toward Port Elizabeth.. perhaps. There was some stuff about SA in Windsurfing mag a while back.
Maybe this site has some info
http://www.worldwindsurf.com/
Have fun!