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PHOTO > Fiona Claisse / Progression.me PHOTO > Fiona Claisse / Progression.me CAPTIONS THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT > Roberto Ricci team rider on it early and scoring solo; Lion's Head by night; Kim Albrecht killing it off the front
NORTH TO LANGEBAAN
MELKBOSSTRAND HAAKGAT BIG BAY DOLPHIN SUNSET
TABLE VIEW
TABLE MOUNTAIN >
CAPE TOWN
FRANSCHHOEK
ATLANTIC OCEAN MUIZENBERG SCARBOROUGH + MISTY CLIFFS
ATLANTIC OCEAN CAPE POINT
FALSE BAY GARDEN ROUTE EAST TO SEDGEFIELD AND KNYSNA >
INDIAN OCEAN PHOTO > Jens Hogenkamp “I graduated from university in 1998 and decided I deserved a little holiday break, so came down to Cape Town for three months to windsurf before joining the rat race, but already knew that sometime soon it would be my new home. That trip to Cape Town was mind blowing. If you've seen the movie, 'The Hangover 2', well that was us, but with a lot of windsurfing added in. “I returned for six months each year for several years, working for the other six months as an Industrial Automation Engineer, designing control software for paper machines and ended up travelling extensively. I actually had no life for those six month periods, living out of a suitcase far away from any beach. In 2004 my employer decided that it was no
longer a 'good idea' to let me go for six months as it was difficult to schedule the work in. I resigned the next day and three days later was on the plane to Cape Town, my house in Holland was up for rent and the rest is history! “Cape Town is arguably the best place for gear development. Every year we see more and more brands here working on prototypes. A major reason for this must be the diversity when it comes to testing conditions; we have everything from perfect flat water freestyle set-ups to fantastic wave spots and everything in between. What Cape Town is probably more famous for though is it's strong Cape Doctor Southeaster wind, and often tough conditions. The harder the conditions, the better the testing, though. If a board
works well in harsh, difficult conditions it will work even better elsewhere. Durability is very important when it comes to riding here, and we find out what works. “The Cape Town lifestyle is like nothing I've experienced before. Capetonians are very sociable and need no excuse to get together, just to spend time, watch the rugby or host a braai. Eating out here is still very affordable and at the end of my perfect day I'll go for dinner with my wife at one of our many great restaurants for excellent food and a few drinks.” FRED KLOREN, DIRECTOR AND SHAPER AT XELERATOR KITEBOARDS
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