After the first snow fall of the winter and the prospect of worst still to come we decided that the UK really was too cold to stay in and the trip to South Africa that we have been planning but not getting round to became a reality.
On our arrival at Cape Town International, we picked up the worlds smallest car (it didn’t last long before we had to up grade to a bigger small car! If only you could take your van with Virgin) and loaded it with the a large amount of kit and headed out of Town to our destination, Langebaan on the west coast of SA. After a small detour into the heart of CT city centre we found the right road and headed north up the coast.
Our first day on the water was comfortable 5.0 weather for both of us Simon on the 85 SB Kode and me on the 75 RRD HC wave board, our weapons of choice for this trip, it was to be our ‘light wind’ introduction into windsurfing in SA! The next day we started as 4.5’s but we had soon down sized to 4.0’s and whilst I was happy if somewhat overpowered on my 4.0 and 75ltr board Simon had a little too much volume and was forced to sail with maybe a centre meter of his fin left in the water! The following day was 3.7 weather for Simon and 3.3 weather for me and as our smallest sail was a 4.0, I tried not to get blown off the beach while Simon battled the elements and got a good spanking as he tried to hold onto his 4.0 and the RRD. Survival was the order of the day.
I must mention here that our ‘Flat Water’ lagoon now resembled Hayling on a big day and the surf was just getting bigger! Even the locals were getting excited.
While we were in Langebaan, Cape Town was going off with constant 3.5 weather and 3m to 5m swell. In fact the condition were so good that Phil and Danielle who are staying Cape Town came up to sail with us for a rest.
The following day we had another absolute stonker and to be completely honest I could have done with a 3.3! It was awesome and a great experience some of the waves were huge (for me!) and I don’t think I managed to sheet in at all and I was still going like the clappers!
This is certainly a windy place although the locals keep telling us that its not normally this windy at this time of year. The wind pattern at the moment seems to be a very civilized four days on and two days off and after 4 days of being battered the rest is most welcome and provides the ideal opportunity for a bit of site seeing and a chance to get the wetsuits off and chill out for a day, sitting on the beach and soaking up the sun.
On the off days, we’ve taken the opportunity to do a bit of site seeing and headed up Table Mountain, toured round the cape and were rewarded with stunning views. Been shopping at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront wandering through the tourist markets and shops and hunting for a decent coffee.
Anyway the winds blowing again to it off to the beach again, it looks like another 3.7 day to day!
