kitesurfing in cape town

5 Reasons Why You Should Be Kitesurfing in Cape Town

The popularity of kitesurfing is soaring all over the world and Cape Town is the sport’s favourite training ground.

Wind and even more wind, cheap accommodation and entertainment for tourists, and plenty of touristy things to do makes Cape Town the place to visit for Kitesurfers of all levels.

Here are five reasons why you should book your flight right now and start kitesurfing in Cape Town.

 

Wind…So much wind

kitesurfing in cape town

Ask any Mother City local if Cape Town gets windy during Summer and they’ll laugh for two minutes straight.

Once they realise that you weren’t being ironic they’ll inform you that it’s pretty much always windy in Cape Town.

You may hear a few grumbles from locals that the wind gets a bit much, but the only thing you’ll hear from kitesurfers is a faint, distant “whoo-hoo”, because they’ll be out, killing it, on the water.

 

The Rand Ain’t The Strongest

kitesurfing in cape townKitesurfing is a very expensive sport…if you’re earning South Africa Rands.

If you’re strolling along the Cape coastline with Dollars, Euros or Pound Sterling, well then, kitesurfing in Cape Town is a very inexpensive sport.

And everything else will be cheap for you too.

A dining experience at one of Cape Town’s finest restaurants, the type of restaurant most locals save up six months for, won’t cost you more than 100 of whatever currency of bucks you have lining your wallets.

Practice Where The Pro’s Do

kitesurfing in cape town

The Red Bull King of the Air kitesurfing competition returns to Cape Town for a 3rd time running.

Twelve thousand people gathered to watch the spectacle that is the adrenaline induced World Cup of kitesurfing last year which further increased the popularity of the sport in Cape Town.

So if you’re kitesurfing in Cape Town you’re kitesurfing where the pros do. Cool, hey?

 

Tons of Other Stuff To Dokitesurfing in cape town

Now, you won’t be kitesurfing 24 hours a day. You have to sleep, eat and do the touristy thing at some stage.

Cape Town has once again been voted the world’s favourite tourist destination, so you can be sure that there is plenty to do and see.

Click here and here to check out just some of what Cape Town has to offer.

Great Deals

kitesurfing in cape town

There is no shortage of kitesurfing shops and instructors on Cape Town’s coastline.

We’re also a friendly generous people so a great deal can always be found in one of our many kitesurfing centres.

With lessons starting at R695 Cabrinha should be your first stop.

you still don't kitesurf africa extreme

How to choose your kitesurfing course

The Best Way to Learn How to Kite for You!

What!? You still don’t kitesurf? http://portageparkdistrict.org It’s about time you start!

You’re planning a trip to Cape town, or you are one of those unlucky locals who still don’t kite?

Get ready for a new experience, Cape Town is one of the best places for kitesurfing world-wide. With more than a dozen kitesurfing-schools – the choice is all yours!

This variety of kitesurfing schools, courses and lessons can be quite overwhelming  when you don’t know what kitesurfing is all about.

Here’s our guide to help you make a qualified choice when it comes to your kitesurfing course:

learn the basics of kitesurfing in two days africa extreme

  1. First of all, evaluate yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? How do you personally learn best? What do you want to achieve during your course? Did one method work better than the other in the past? Consider all these points carefully before you search for a school, course or lesson.
  2. Some people get nervous quickly if they can’t manage a tricky task during a lesson. If you don’t want such pressure during your course, 1-on-1 tuition is the way to go. If you are, on the other hand, getting tired quickly, you better choose a group-lesson as it will give you more time to rest in between exercises. Definitely go for private tuition if you’re impatient or short-tempered. An instructor deals with this better than another client.
  3. Is the goal of your course just to learn how to kite? Then you won’t mind a group course. The other students will have the same goal in mind. Are you looking to achieve a certain skill? Consider private lessons.
  4. How about your past experience? Have you made good or bad experience with either group or private tuition? You know best if either one doesn’t work for you.

get to know the tube kite first africa extreme

Most people assume that a private course is always better. We’ve outlined the valid reasons to strive for 1-on-1 tuition above.

Here’s a little bit why group courses can be more effective:

Don’t even start to think that you only progress while you fly a kite. During your own practice, you will be focused on controlling the kite. It can help massively to watch someone else practice while an instructor analyses their mistakes for you.

The two major benefits of group tuition are:

1)   You can rest your body while the other student practises on the kite.

2)   During that time you have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes.

Be aware that learning to kitesurf is tiring for both body and mind. If you get tired and loose concentration, you will significantly slow down your own progression.

Once you have evaluated yourself and made a call as to what ratio suits you better, we can take a look on different course-formats. There are tons of formats out there: 1-2 hour lessons, full-day courses or camps and clinics that run for several days.

learn to kitesurf with africa extreme

 

At Africa Extreme we believe full-day courses are the way forward.

  • The advantage is that you can break down the entire progression in different levels and cover one level per day.
  • Most students need about 8-12 hours to be able to get on the board and ride a short distance in both directions.
  • That means for you that it takes you only 2-3 days of full-day tuition to know how to kitesurf.

Why we don’t like 2-hour lessons too much?

Especially if there are a few days in between your lessons, you will have to repeat the skills that you have learned and practised in previous sessions again. Just do the math, you will still need at least 8-12 hours of training. If you take a 2h lesson every day, it will take you 6 days to learn to kitesurf. In the best case scenario.

 

Don’t wait any longer! Book your kitesurfing course now! You could be a kitesurfer tomorrow!

 

kite surfing lessons in many languages africa extreme learn the basics of kitesurfing in two days africa extreme

Kiteboarding lessons in Cape Town

Introduction Blog For Kite Beach

[h3a] Ever since I bought my first inflateable kite and stepped out of a kite shop and stood on Blouberg beach, I was inspired by the views of

Table Mountain and the wild yet attracting water and wind conditions.[/h3a]

The extreme conditions is only part of the allure of Cape Town and it’s surrounds…where else in the world can one drive only 1 hour to taste some wine, see some of Africa’s most popular wildlife, eat 5-star food, check out beautiful scenery and have a braai with friends at the end of a hard day’s water-time!

I run the Best Kiteboarding Africa shop in Blouberg, straight across from the now sunken Seli shipwreck.

Known as kite beach, this section of beach runs for several kilometres towards Cape Town central, as far as Milnerton and as far as Doodles beachfront restaurant in the north. It includes such popular kite spots like Dolphin beach and Sunset beach.

kite beach cape town

Kitesurfers getting ready to go out on Kite Beach, Blouberg.

We have a great symbiosis with our resident coffee shop Carlucci’s, which attracts a great number of kiters and other watersports enthusiasts. I often go next door to get my daily coffee and bump into Ruben Lenten, Kevin Langaree, Aaron Hadlow and the famous Seli crane-jumper Niel Jacbsen, to name just a few famous kiteboarders.

I must admit, despite what most non-kiters may think, running a kite shop is not a dream job! I have to watch everyone else kiting in the most amazing conditions while I keep them on the water, ha ha! At least I have the water to myself with the sunset sessions after work…and going for a kite session is just a 2 minute walk across the road!

I think our spot is awesome – great vibe in the car park amongst the kiters, surfers and SUPers – and always a friendly face greeting you on the beach, telling you what a great session they had or just giving you a quick launch to get on the water as quickly as possible!

 

Lanral Ruddock

Best Kiteboarding Africa shop

cape town's little secret

Our Little Secret: Gems Along the West Coast

With ‘The Season’ about to start, it’s nice to know that there are some things that will always remain ‘our little secret’.

We all love a secret.

We love knowing what someone else doesn’t know – it gives a kind of elevation, a sense of excitement and daring.

Thankfully, there are still many secrets in Cape Town that are reserved for those who know, and for those who want to know.

And to remind you of why you love Cape Town so much, and what makes her so special, we’ve put together a little list of well-loved hidden treasures along our coast line that will make you smile as you reminisce, or at least pique your interest to discover for yourself.

Small Bay

Scavenger hunt birthday party at Small Bay, Cape Town

Scavenger hunt birthday party at Small Bay, Cape Town

Mommy’s Bay.

This bay is a safe haven for many a parent; secluded and protected, the bay offers silky smooth sea sand, lapping waves and pretty shells to collect. Walking to the island at low tide is almost a rite of passage for locals, and of course Ons Huisie is a hop, skip and a jump away from here. The main attraction of Small Bay (for parents anyway) has to be the massive jungle gym on the grass next to the beach. Picnics, birthday parties and play dates, friendly smiles and ice cream are the order of the day in this happy place. And Blue Peter afterwards for sundowners of course.

How to get there: Coming from Blouberg, travel on Beach Road towards Melkbos, turn left at the Small Bay / Klein Baai.

The Farmstall

farm stall cape town

The Farmstall in Melkbos where the family can enjoy farm fresh fun.

On the Way to Melkbos

This great little farm shop and restaurant is a family favourite for Sunday morning breakfasts and afternoon tea. Their shop stocks gorgeous fresh fare; preserves, pickles, homemade soups and other delicious treats while chickens peck at the floor and cluck at your feet. Their hot fresh scones, thick cream and homemade jam make the drive worth it.

Plus, there’s a delightful farm animal petting-zoo, with a jungle gym for the kiddies. They also have a jumping castle on weekends. So no matter how you look at it, you’re coming home tired, full and happy.

How to get there: On the R27 to Melkbos you’ll spot the Farmstall sign on the right.

Melkbos Fisheries

This little secret is almost too good to keep.

For absolutely amazing fish and chips at old-world prices, this place is locally owned and locally supported. Surfers and kiteboarders in the area will fight you for a spot at the front of the queue. Their take-aways are ideal for that sunset moment, when you’re barefoot on the sand, watching your kids pick up shells on an endless beach.

How to get there: Travel on Beach Road out of Blouberg and into Melkbos. At the first set of robots turn left, after the first stop street, look right and you’ll see Melkbos Fisheries.

Eden on the Bay

Soaking up the sun at Eden on the Bay Mall in Big Bay, Cape Town

Soaking up the sun at Eden on the Bay Mall in Big Bay, Cape Town

This little Mediterranean gem is like a secret garden to those in the know.

If you haven’t been to the Isle of Crete, then Eden on the Bay is the next best thing, with its white buildings and bluer-than-blue sea and sky. It’s right on the beach and has a fabulous grassed common-area where families picnic, throw Frisbees, ride ponies – it’s like that movie in the 50’s where life is fun and free and you wish you lived there.  Which you can, because it’s a residential mall.

Restaurants laze in the sun and little shops offer shade and interesting goodies that make you feel zesty and spontaneous.  The vibe in summer is ridiculous; it’s an outdoor mall, so sun, sand and sea are par for the course here. You can’t stay away, even if you tried.

How to get there: Travel on Otto du Plessis towards Melkbos from Blouberg; turn left at Big Bay Boulevard, the mall is on the right.

So, when the tourists come, and they will come (thank goodness) and you’re enjoying a sundowner at moyo Blouberg while watching the beautifully tanned tourists, it’s good to know that some things will always be our little secret.