Like Cape Town is a mecca for kiting, so is it one of the world’s finest places for big wave surfing. Red Bull, together with the determination of local surfer Ian Armstrong, has made this epic annual event happen since ‘99 at Dungeons, Hout Bay.
Dungeons South Africa July 2008
The event has grown, attracting some of the best big wave surfers from all over the world, and last nights premier, exhibited a culmination of the ten years highs and lows. It featured some insane bone-breaking wipeouts and killer waves from the 2008 event, with the memorable 20-25ft sets and the perfect ten barrel by young Californian, Greg Long. This time last year Grant Baker took first place, and it was great to see him together with most of the riders at the premier yesterday evening.
The film takes you up close to the awe of the size and power of these waves as well as the personalities, who are brave enough to commit to riding these beasts. It’s a reminder that we are never really in control of our world, but equipped with a positive attitude and passion, anything is possible.
“If you want to play you have to pay”, big wave surfer, Ramon Ravarro
Winter is the time where we reflect on the past year and think about what we want to do differently and what we want to achieve for the coming months. Some great kiteboarding events and festivals stand out in our memories, and we look forward to the buzz and vibe of it all when summer returns. I have been working with sponsors like Resolution, to ensure that we maximise on the opportunities we have created to bring you, the readers and participants, a better experience next time. Events like the Sodwana Bay Kiteboarding festival, the Doodles Long Ocean event, The Resolution Downwind Dash, the JEEP South Coast Carnival and The Cape Dash, all form an integral role in bringing us together as a community to have fun doing what we love.
GUST would like to facilitate more co-operation among sponsors and organisers, to ensure that the events are grown to their full potential, with the objective of bringing back an SA ranking and title holder. If you are an event organiser, please contact me with the provisional dates and disciplines, so that we can start communicating and collaborating to achieve this. Now is the time. We have time to get organised. Send your details to me as soon as you get the chance, so we can put together a calendar before the end of August. If you are a marketing manager or brand manager, and you would like to know more about what opportunities you can get involved in, do the same!
Skippers Meeting - The Resolution Downwind Dash 2009
The Annual Pemba Open is happening this month. There is still time to arrange a spontaneous getaway. With direct flights from Johannesburg, maybe this trip is what you need to take some time out from the mid-year madness. This event is located at one of the finest, most untouched kiting locations in Africa, and will definitely be a great opportunity to meet fellow wind lovers. Check out the post on the GUST calendar for a map on where Pemba is. Event starts 30th July. Email samstarfishpemba@gmail.com
Nungarin is one of the most fresh sounding bands to emerge from the South African music scene. The Cape Town based trio have been together since 2007 and have gone from strength to strength. From the start they were lucky enough to be given the platform that all aspiring musicians strive for. Their debut live performance was alongside Gold Fish at the Jim Beam Xtreme Kiteboarding contest prize giving. Their natural blend of unique influences and musical abilities has created a genre unto themselves. With a multitude of instruments between them, they have created an eclectic mix of music that separates them from the pack. Drawing on influences from across the musical spectrum, they have managed to mould together a unique sound that is a pleasure to listen to, and helps give each song a unique flavor.
Gregory Thijsse, the vocalist, is an icon in the South African kiteboarding scene. Greg is a passionate person, and has successfully featured internationally as a kite-boarder, and locally is renowned for much more. See his article on wave-riding in one of the past issues of GUST.
Dom De Jesus on drums
Nungarin live at the prize giving
Greg takes third place at the The Resolution Downwind Dash 09
His passion for life has driven him to make the best of every opportunity, and when he decided to form a band with long time friend Dominic de Jesus, he knew it would be a worthwhile challenge.Greg’s love for music and performance provides a strong central figure for a freshly innovative group. He delivers strong vocals, and ensnares the audience as he tells them stories of love and hope amidst the motions of modern life. He enjoys writing, and along with Dom, produces fine ideas for the story telling of the music.
Their first album Summer Shade is due to be released this month. Listen here to two of the tracks they are well known for. Visit their website www.nungarinmusic.com and www.myspace.com/nungarinmusic for updates on gigs. Go and buy their album now! Come to ZULA BAR, Long Street, on the 1st August for the official launch.
Usually flanked by a blonde haired entourage of kiteboarders, Graham Howes prides himself as knowing how to show visitors a good time. In this story, he articulately tells us of his adventure with his friends through Kruger, Lesotho and on to Mozambique - and what an awesome kitesurfing spot. Check out what Graham has to offer on his website and read the recently published article here.
The Resolution Downwind Dash is a very special event which started in 1986. In 2009, we hosted over 312 competitors including top slalom champion, Ross Williams and well known speedsters Alex Caizergues and Seb Cattelan. In good spirit, 5X freestyle world champ, Aaron Hadlow, took part. There were many new young faces on the water and the participants were enthusiastic about the involvement of the title sponsor Resolution.
Zanzibar is becoming an increasingly talked about travel destination. With Dar es Salaam only a three hour flight from JHB, and Nungwe relatively undiscovered by kiters, a kiting adventure here is what African dreams are made of. The windy season is in July and August as well as December and January. Karl, a GUST reader living in Gauteng, told us his tale of visiting the spicy island.
Kiters and windsurfers from all over the world have been increasingly interested in Namibia, as the perfect playground to go fast! Top athletes like Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Alex Caizergues, Sjoukje Bredenkamp and Seb Cattelan make the annual mission through blistering sand and squalls to test their limits on the speed strip.
Originally, the Walvis Bay Speedweek, was the main event of the year, and subsequently, the strip in Luderitz has been discovered. For updates and ongoings in this world renowed place, keep your eyes on gustmagazine.com
Table Bay, the South Peninsula (Deep South) and the West Coast , make up a variety of some of the world’s most well renowned kite sports. Perfect wind (usually starting from Sept to March) and waves as well as ideal flat water conditions, ensure that within 100 km radius, you are spoilt for choice.
The Western Cape Spot Guide, was published in issue 21 - Sept/Oct and this will form the basis of this section. This guide will provide you with all the popular kitesurfing and windsurfing spots as an easy reference guide for planning your weekends and holidays. This guide includes the West Coast as well as the Cape Peninsula, and later, we’ll cover our beautiful country South Africa.
In addition, we’ve made recommendations for cool places to stay and hot spots to enjoy the sunsets and a good night out! To the locals out there, please feel free to add your accomodation and hot spot recommendations in the comments section.
WEST COAST
REGION: Langebaan Spot: Main Beach Pearly’s How to get there: Turn down Bree Stree and proceed to the end. The parking lot is the best place to start from. Conditions: Flat to Choppy water Level: Beginner to advanced Best Wind: South, South East, South West, West, North West, North Heads Up: This beach has a strong tidal flow and has regulations as to where you can kitesurf/windsurf. Please read the signs. Gust Recommended Restaurants and Accommodation: Driftwoods restaurant and bar, Farmhouse Hotel and Restaurant, Kaktus – for Friday night entertainment, Cape Sports Center, Windchasers Kitesurfing school and Accommodation.
REGION: Langebaan Spot:Shark Bay How to get there: When you are in Langebaan, take the main road towards the reserve. There will be a gravel road where you can park and a short walk to the beach. Conditions: Flat, Warm Water Level: All Heads Up: There is a wind free zone to the far right of the beach at the rocky area. If you are a beginner, rather walk your kite up left as far as you can. Stay out of the long grass (Snakes) and be careful of stray Ostriches.
REGION: Langebaan Spot:Friday Island/Cape Sports Centre Beach How to get there: Follow signs as you enter Langebaan. Turn right at the 2nd 4 Way Stop Street & follow the signs to Friday Island.
Conditions: Flat water with Waves Level: Advanced Best Wind: SE, S, W, SW, N, NW Heads Up: The winds are normally offshore, so do not go out here unless you can ride to a high standard. Also be aware of windsurfers entering
and exiting the water. Please raise your kite when they approach.
REGION: Yzerfontein Spot:Main Beach How to get there: 50km from Cape Town. Follow the R27. You will see the turn off to your right after Grotto Bay and Jakkalsfontein. Conditions: Wave-riding, Freestyle Level: Intermediate to advanced Best Wind: South East, NW, N Heads Up: A great spot for when Cape Town is blown out. The beach goes on for miles, so kite further away from town to get away from the GUSTS! Gust Recommended Restaurants and Accommodation: Beaches Restaurant
REGION: Veldriff Spot: The River How to get there: Veldriff River is tidal and only works when the tide is either coming in on a NW or in on a SE. You can gain entry at the Small Craft boat launch just past Port Owen. Conditions: Speed sailing Level: Advanced Best Wind: NW, SE Heads Up: The River is narrow and has fixed objects in place. Be aware of boats and fishermen. Gust Recommended Restaurants and Accommodation: Laaiplek
REGION: Elands Bay Spot:Elands Bay How to get there: From Veldriff, take the signs to Elands Bay +-2.5hrs driving from Cape Town. Conditions: Wave-riding Level: Advanced Best Wind: SW Heads Up: A big wave destination with cold water and shallow reefs (mussel beds!) Stay clear of surfers! Gust Recommended Restaurants and Accommodation: Elands Bay Hotel - camping available.
REGION: Paternoster Spot:Main Beach How to get there: Follow signs to Paternoster off of the R27. (After turning for Langebaan) Park near Fish Market. Conditions: Speed, Wave Level: Advanced Best Wind: SW, SE Heads Up: This spot is extremely gusty and offshore. Many a kite has been lost to the seas, be prepared to swim… Gust Recommended Restaurants and Accommodation: The Hotel – a must for those wanting to experience the real West Coast.
CAPE TOWN:
REGION: Table Bay Spot:Sunset Beach How to get there: If you are heading away from Cape Town along the R27,
turn to the beach at the Engen garage. Conditions: Wave-riding, Free-riding Level: Intermediate to advanced Best Wind: South and South East Heads Up: Quite gusty in the launching area. Get onto the water as quickly as possible.
REGION: Table Bay Spot:Dolphin Beach How to get there: Right in front of the Dolphin Beach hotel. Conditions: Wave-riding Free-riding, Freestyle Level: All Best Wind: S & SE Heads Up: Lay out your lines perpendicular to the shore.
REGION: Table Bay Spot:Kite Beach Conditions: Wave-riding, Free-riding, Freestyle Level: All Gust Recommended Restaurants and Accommodation: Doodles Restaurant and Bar, for accomodation: Endless Summer Beach House, also check out CapeTownGuru.
REGION: Table Bay Spot:Big Bay How to get there: Further along the R27, head out past Table View.
You will see the new developments going on. Conditions: Wave-riding, Free-riding, Freestyle Level: All Best Wind: South East Heads Up: Good spot when the wind gets nuclear and other beaches blown out. There are regulations as to where to launch and kite - please read the signs. Gust Recommended Restaurants and Accommodation: Eden On The Bay (just behind the car park) has an array of bars and restaurants.
REGION: Table Bay
Spot: Kamers How to get there: (same car park as Big Bay) Conditions: Wave-riding Level: Advanced Best Wind: South East Heads Up: Off shore wind conditions REGION: Table Bay Spot:Haakgaat How to get there: Head along the beach road from Big Bay to Melkbos.
You will see the sign. Conditions: Wave-riding Level: Advanced Best Wind: South East Heads Up: Gnarly shorebreak and rocks
SOUTH PENINSULA:
REGION: Muizenberg Spot:Muizenberg How to get there: Take the M3 away from the city and follow signs to Muizenberg Conditions: Wave-riding, Free-riding, Freestyle Level: All Best Wind: South and South East Gust Recommended Restaurants and Accommodation: The Kite Corner
REGION: Kommetjie Spot:Longbeach How to get there: Take the M3 over Oukaapse Weg, take a right at the Sun Valley four way stop - keep going until you see the signs for Long Beach Conditions: Wave-riding Best Wind: North West
REGION: Scarborough Spot:Witsands How to get there: Take the M3 over Oukaapse Weg, take a right at the Sun Valley four way stop to Scarborough, then turn left at Ocean View Conditions: Wave-riding Level: Advanced Best Wind: North West, South East Heads Up: Take note of the new footpath thanks to Andre. Gust Recommended Restaurants and Accommodation: Jeremy’s Guest House, Scarborough
REGION: Cape Point Spot:Platboom How to get there: When you are in the Cape Point nature reserve, take the Cape of Good Hope turn off. Conditions: Wave-riding Level: Advanced Best Wind: South, South East Heads Up: Rocks and reef – you must know your story! Gust Recommended Restaurants and Accommodation: Cape Point Nature Reserve
Check out the slide show of Oswald Smith from Stellenbosch, ripping it up at Muizenberg.
Don’s be scared off by the recent incident with a surfer and a shark at Stilbaai. If you want to experience the real jewels that SA has to offer, these are some of the spots you have to get to. As great as the surf and wind are in the Western Cape, do not be sucked into the beauty without venturing further beyond the local hotspots.
Check out the Kiteboarder’s Guide to the Garden Route and be sure to be welcomed by any of the backpackers, schools and restaurants mentioned as an old friend of the GUST family.
GUST magazine was fortunate enough to attend the international media and dealer meeting in Tarifa, Spain earlier this month. It was an opportunity to get the inside scoop on all the new gear and ride the much talked about Nomad. For the full gallery on images from the trip click on Tarifa Cabrinha images.
Listen to Podcast here - Interview with Pete Cabrinha
