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Fish Hoek, South Africa has become the world’s premier surfski destination for travelling paddlers. The reasons are plain.
1) Firstly, the conditions for surfski paddling are the best in the world because of consistent winds and the varied Cape coastline.
YOU CAN PADDLE DOWNWIND IN CAPE TOWN ANY WEEK OF THE YEAR!
There is no other place in the world where this is possible. The combination of 6 different wind directions, as well as the coastlines of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, means that you will always find somewhere to paddle downwind. On less windy days paddling the various coastal routes is phenomenal.
2) Secondly, it is home to the largest concentration of the world’s best surfski paddlers. The majority of South Africa’s top paddlers hail from the Deep South of Cape Town, a.k.a Fish Hoek and surrounds. It is here where their skills have been learned and honed.
3) Finally, Cape Town is one of the top 10 most popular destinations in the world for reasons that are well documented and way too numerous to list here.
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The paddling is good all year round. You can come at any time, and always have a good chance of excellent paddling conditions. But for the sake of statistics and personal preferences, here are some things to consider:
The period from late November to early March is generally considered the best time to visit Cape Town in terms of weather. (High temps, low rainfall, long days and lots of events).
If you prefer milder weather with fewer crowds, the shoulder seasons of spring (April, May – secret season) and autumn (Sept and Oct) are great times to visit.
Hottest Month: January and February are typically the hottest months in Cape Town.
Coldest Month: July is usually the coldest month.
Windiest Month: The spring months, especially September and October, are known for strong gale force winds BUT winds blow consistently all through to April. The period of January to March is generally when the wind blows at strong breeze level.
Wettest Month: June to August are the winter months with some rainfall, but the precipitation is generally low.
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If your primary focus is paddling, then you should book accommodation in Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, Glencairn or Simonstown. Some more details below:
Airbnb, LekkeSlaap, SafariNow and Booking.com all have good listings. Don’t pay less than R850 per person per night. This semi guarantees quality and proximity.
Uber does work or you can hire a driver/guide, but a rented vehicle is advisable for longer stays of 5+ days.
Most Fish Hoek based listings at R850+ per night, are walking distance to the beach, so there is no need for a car.
Trains and other forms of public transport (i.e. buses and minibuses) are unreliable.
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THE SURFSKI SCHOOL - GUIDED LESSONS & SESSIONS
THE DOWNWIND CAMPS - PADDLING CAMPS, TOURS & TRIPS
SELF-GUIDED PADDLING
The Surfski School offers daily guided sessions, which include equipment for all levels of paddler. Info below:
This is by far the easiest and simplest way to come paddling, at all levels.
Multiple bookings can easily be made online: www.surfskischool.co.za. Design your own itinerary.
Perfect when you’re on a short trip or stop over in Cape Town.
Easily plan and book your own itinerary or allow us to propose a custom schedule.
The Surfski School has been hosting international paddlers for two decades. We are very experienced and well versed for your paddling needs.
Contact us on: info@surfskischool.co.za
You can definitely do downwinds and any of the other paddling routes with the Surfski School instructors as guides.
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A PADDLING TRIP OF A LIFETIME
Perfect if you want to have the paddling trip of a lifetime, just arrive, and not have to worry or think, just paddle, enjoy and improve.
Consider our Paddle Africa trips for a full service, all laid out, life changing paddle trip. Everything is sorted out by us.
The Downwind Camps are scheduled, week-long camps, running from October through to March.
Paddling is done mainly on the world’s best downwind run – The Millers Run, considered to be a paddling pilgrimage. Paddling the Cape of Good Hope, a route done by precious few, but highly sought after and is very possible under our guidance.
The 5 Capes Adventure, hosted once per year, along the coast of Southern Africa, paddling the 5 major Capes including 2 of the top 5 world renown capes – Cape of Good Hope and Cape Agulhas - the southernmost tip of Africa.
Other paddling trips into Africa are also offered by Paddle Africa. Dates and trips can be found on www.paddleafrica.co.za.
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Plan your own paddling trip and sessions.
You can still book ad-hoc sessions with the Surfski School, pending availability.
It is possible to rent a surfski from our rental fleet, subject to availability.
It’s also possible to buy equipment and sell it afterwards, as there is a very active second-hand market.
You can get temporary club membership or pay the Day Rate at the main paddling hub – the Fish Hoek Beach Sports Club.
There are a number of groups you can join and there is a consistent and reliable downwind transport shuttle.
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Rent a ski from Paddle Africa – R2 100 to R5 250 per week –depending on the model and makeup.
Includes storage at the Fish Hoek Beach Sports Club (FHBSC) FHBSC.
Minimum ability and proficiency requirements are applicable! Consider at least one intro session booked with the Surfski School.
Other ski rentals can be arranged from the Orka Paddling Shop or directly with manufacturers like Fenn and Carbonology, they will send skis down.
Does NOT include membership.
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Fish Hoek Beach Sports Club (FHBSC) is perfectly situated on the beach at the end of the famous Millers Run. There are changerooms, showers, a galley until 14:00 and a bar, which also sells soft drinks and snacks.
FHBSC offers temporary membership for travelling paddlers –R600 for 90 days.
This does not include surfski rack storage which is an additional charge if you have rented skis not already stored at the Club. Sign up info can be found at www.fhbsc.co.za. Alternatively, you can pay the Day membership rate of R50 per day.
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All Self-Guided Paddlers take note – Ocean conditions in Fish Hoek, and greater Cape Town, are likely to be bigger and wilder than what you’re used to.
Always choose a more stable surfski than your surfski at home.
Always paddle with the right safety gear – PFD, leash, cell phone in a dry bag.
Don’t paddle alone or without telling someone where you’re going. Download and use the NSRI Safetrx App. You will need an active data connection.
Self-guided paddlers should not be novices.
All novice paddlers should rather book sessions through the Surfski School. www.mockepaddling.com
Correct set-up & hand position
Correct understanding of feather & length adjustment
Correct seating & leg length set-up
Can carry, manage & manoeuvre surfski on land & in shallow water
Can take a paddle stroke. Ski is moving forward
Can paddle with efficient technique
Can brace left and right side
Effective brace stroke, both sides
Automatic legs out when required
Confident paddling in 2-3 ft, choppy water
Two remounts under a minute with full kit
Remount a surfski from both sides with PFD & leash
Remount in choppy water, wind 15 kn
Paddle successfully in & out through the surf zone.
Catch a swell & then successfully ride the wave through the impact zone
Distinguish between onshore & offshore wind
Can identify impact zones & where waves break
Correct & confident use of safety equipment in all conditions
Paddle in cross directional choppy water
Paddle 10km in calm (wind <5kn) conditions in 1 hour 10 or less
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A common question is: “What is the strongest wind I can do a downwind in?”
It is helpful to know how strong the wind can blow in the Cape, and Fish Hoek, and most importantly, whether you can handle it. This will dictate where and what paddling you do if any at all.
The answer is:
The strongest wind that you are confidently able turn around in (i.e. make a 180° turn & be “sideways”), paddle into, making headway, for at least 10 minutes, without stopping.
BEFORE doing a downwind in conditions you are not used to, here in Fish Hoek or Cape Town, you must do a session of triangular loops, called Pointers, in Fish Hoek bay, practicing paddling into the wind and importantly, turning around in the wind.
These are done starting on the western side of the bay next to the rocks, paddling out to the point, go another 100m past the point, turn around, and paddle back to your start position.
If you are not confident, then you should not paddle a downwind unaccompanied, or in a single ski in similar strength or stronger wind speeds.
For most paddlers this is around 22 knots. www.mockepaddling.com
The wind in Fish Hoek regularly blows at Beaufort force 4-6 (Bft 4-6) which is a moderate to strong breeze and measured at between 11-27 knots.
The wind often blows at Bft 7-8, which is 27-35 knots, a moderate to fresh gale.
The wind can realistically blow at Bft 9-12, 35 knots+, strong gale to storm level.
It is not uncommon for the wind to blow at Bft 11-12, 56-64 knots+, violent storm to hurricane level.
You can see the LIVE WIND speed on the FHBSC Club website or at the wind meter at the club.
The Windfinder app also references the weather station at the FHBSC Club.
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The Millers run downwind is definitely the biggest attraction to Fish Hoek for travelling paddlers. There are also several other very popular ‘Out & Back’ routes and downwind routes that are consistently paddled.
An approximately 11-12 km downwind route between Millers Point and Fish Hoek.
Can be done in both directions depending on the wind.
Standard route runs South to North, starting at Millers Point, ending in Fish Hoek. Done when the wind direction is from a south easterly direction.
Reverse route runs North to South, Fish Hoek to Millers point. Done when the wind is in a Northerly direction.
Best conditions are when the wind direction is SSE or NNW.
Roman Rock Lighthouse is the sort of halfway mark. Generally, pass on the shore side of the lighthouse (left side when going to Fish Hoek, right side when going to Millers).
There is a regular downwind shuttle called Millers Taxi, that takes paddlers to the start or picks them up from the finish. It is very helpful getting onto that WhatsApp group.
ALWAYS do your first Millers Run with a guide or with someone who knows the route and conditions.
ALWAYS be sure your remounts are bomb-proof.
ALWAYS paddle with a leash attaching your ski to your body.
ALWAYS make sure you are stable in your ski.
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This is the most common route.
Some paddlers want to get a “record”. You must start at Bakoven Rock, 500m offshore of the Ski boat club.
If you’re not chasing an official time, be sure to paddle at least 750m offshore before turning towards Fish Hoek. For launching, there are 2 options:
The easiest, most sensible launch is the northern slipway. A tougher launch is the southern slipway. Walk deep and be very careful not to hit your rudder on the slip. Both launches you can paddle to Bakoven Rock (if you are going for an official time).
Obviously, the easier launch makes more sense. Landmarks. Don’t be confused by Glencairn beach which is the obvious beach you see from Millers. Fish Hoek is to the right of Glencairn. Use the quarry (big hole in the mountain) as your guide, paddle to the right of the quarry.
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A firm favourite when the wind is right (NNW, 12-25 knots, offshore). Be wary of any westerly winds. Be sure the prediction does not predict the wind to turn westerly, this blows you away from land into False Bay, very quickly.
Safest route is to paddle to Glencairn first and then turn to Millers. Your landmarks are the white buildings above Millers Point (Black Marlin Restaurant).
You can’t see the slipway entrance from the water, but if you just paddle towards the small beach below the white buildings, you will eventually see the slipway entrance.
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ThankyouforreadingTheSurfskiTravellersGuideToPaddlingFish Hoek,SouthAfrica.Ifyouwouldlikeanymoreinfo,pleasecontactus belowandwewillgladlyassist.
+27 21 782 4311
www.mockepaddling.com/www.surfskischool.co.za/www.fhbsc.co.za dawid@mockepaddling.com/jasper@paddleafrica.co.za 33KommetjieRoad,FishHoek,SouthAfrica,7975
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