8 minute read
CAPE TOWN
CAPE TOWN 09
3/5 5/5 5/5
KITE OPTIONS?
Cape Town has a massive amount of variety. Bring the lot…
WHICH WETSUIT?
You’ll need a wetsuit – worth packing a 3/2 and a 4/3.
TYPICAL DINNER
Vegans take note… this is predominantly meat territory. And they cook it well out here. Get yourself to a Braai for the full experience.
LATE NIGHT…
Cape Town is a vibrant spot, and each night you can take your pick of pubs, clubs, comedy, concerts and some amazing food options.
GETTING THERE
Flights out of Europe will generally set you back around €1000, but shop around, especially if out of season.
THE LOWDOWN
For any ‘Northerners’ wishing to escape the chilly European winters (or summers for that matter), South Africa is a no-brainer, being a Southern Hemisphere destination. Cape Town is a pretty exciting place to shake off the winter blues, with sublime winds and almost as many beaches as there are parties each night…
KITING SET UP
Cape Town: 15km north of Cape Town city center, Blouberg is your go-to spot when you land. It’s popular, and allows easy access to plenty of other great spots, such as Big Bay, Dolphin Beach and Kite Beach. With plenty of wave-action for the surf riders, Big Bay is also super popular with freestylers who make the most of the lulls between swells. Dolphin Beach is also a popular spot, and is great for beginners and intermediate riders. And no surprise as to what is most popular a little further on at Kite Beach… About an hour and a half outside of Blouberg, Shark’s Bay and Langebaan are great if you’re looking for some real flatwater sessions. And don’t let the name put you off… this is a really beautiful part of the Western Cape.
Atlantic Cape: Neither wind nor pounding Antarctic swells are in short supply as you approach the Cape (the amazing Chapman’s Peak Drive en route is an adventure in itself). For picturesque scenery and solid lines, check out Witsands, plus fast and fun Scarborough – though not for the faint-of-heart or the inexperienced…
Eastern Cape: Warmer waters and gentler swells on the Indian Ocean side. Head to Muizenberg for freestyle fun in mellow waves.
WHEN IS BEST TO GO?
If you want to rub shoulders with the pros and have the time of your life, then it’s got to be the main season in Cape Town. Any time from mid-November through to mid-February and you’ll be in business. The rest of the year? Well that can be epic too. But don’t tell anyone…
NO WIND?
Should Mother Nature not play ball with your kiting plans, South Africa pretty much has it all …Wine tours, climb Table Mountain, MBK or just hang out in town. For water based alternatives, there is shark cage diving, seal snorkeling, freediving, surfing or SUP. Or take to the air for skydiving, paragliding, or smash out some airs in the Dirty Habits cable park…
WAVE CLINICS IN CAPE TOWN
Our wave camps are for kitesurfers who want to learn or improve their wave riding skills.
-For who; from zero to hero -Strapped or strapless; up to you -How long; from ‘just a downwinder’ to 5 day courses -What’s included; transport, latest RRD/Mystic gear and unlimited smiles and high fives -Optional; accommodation, video analysis, pro-clinics with Carl Ferreira & Steven Akkersdijk
More info; www.high-five.co.za
TURKS & CAICOS
4/5 3/5 3/5
KITE OPTIONS?
10 and 12, or 12 and 14, depending on body weight and skill levels! (Randy says: One large kite for light wind days and one general all around kite. We don’t get high winds often though check the forecast).
WHICH WETSUIT?
The sun here is no shrinking violet, so do dress for it. Long sleeve rashies, sun hat and plenty of sunscreen. In winter, a thin wettie top or maybe a shortie.
BEER
€4.30 | $5 | £3.80
TYPICAL DINNER
Keep it local... Fish, lobster, conch, jerk chicken, rice and peas. There are many restaurants with great chefs here if you fancy something special.
LATE NIGHT…
Good weekend vibe spots are the Sand Bar, Danny Buoys, and Grace Bay’s Infinity.
GETTING THERE:
Fly to Providenciales (PLS) - super easy from anywhere in the US, and most of the major European airports too. Take a shuttle or taxi to your resort of choice, or book ahead for a rental car from the airport.
THE LOWDOWN
The Turks & Caicos Islands (TCIs) should definitely be high on your travel bucket list – this is a high end destination for kiters and non kiters alike. The island of Providenciales has become one of the most desired kiteboarding destinations on the planet, with two world-renowned beaches – Grace Bay and Long Bay – offering cross onshore winds, almost no crowds, and plenty of square miles of perfect, shallow, crystal clear waters. All this just over a one hour flight from Miami and easily accessible from all over the US.
KITING SET UP
Long Bay is the big go-to spot, a three-mile white sand beach on the south side of Providenciales. This beach is made for kiteboarding, and the main kite schools
10
kite@bigbluecollective.com
have all set up here, so it’s ideal for the learners amongst you. You’ll find shore or side onshore winds, warm shallow waters, and fairly flat water with little chop, no rocks or rip currents. Grace Bay is generally for the more advanced rider, with deep water launches, strong northerlies, and there are waves to be had on the reef or the sandbars. Two more nearby spots to check out depending on conditions are Leeward and Five Kays.
WHEN IS BEST TO GO?
Summer is from mid-June until the end of August, and these months can be some of the absolute best. There are consistent trade winds almost all year except September, when there’s no wind at all... The winter season from late November through to April brings stronger winds, more surf… bigger weather, but bigger rewards!
NO WIND?
It’s a water sports paradise with options to snorkel, SUP, kayak, fish, sail – and scuba diving here is about as good as it gets anywhere in the world. Alternatively jump on a horse, take an ecotour to see places you never probably would otherwise, or just wind down and recharge in the natural environment.
Villa Esencia Long Bay Beach Turks and Caicos Islands Caribean
gentle shallow warm safe steady great for learning & the whole family
GRENADINES 11
5/5 4/5 2/5 3/5
KITE OPTIONS?
If bringing two kites a 9 or 10 and a 12 meter are your best bet. The area and the steady, fairly gentle warm wind also makes it a perfect destination for foiling.
WHICH WETSUIT?
This is definitely a 'just board shorts/bikini's' sort of place. Lots of sunscreen and a rash guard are recommended. Other clothes and shoes: not really needed.
BEER
A beer is $3. A stronger cocktail drink might be cheaper than a beer.
TYPICAL DINNER
To go out might not be cheap especially as there are two islands with some of the most exclusive resorts on them. A lobster straight from the local grill on the beach however, will cost about $30.
LATE NIGHT…
At the laid-back local rasta bars, you never know what you might find. They will likely stay open as long as you want, as long as you bring the party…
THE LOWDOWN
The Grenadines have become well known as a top kiteboarding destination, as they should be! In the last few years many pro riders have made this a stop in their training for the perfect freestyle conditions and beauty of the Caribbean. Steady winds always blow from the east in an eight month long kite season, with turquoise lagoons providing butter flat water. This out of the way place has the feel of an untouched paradise.
KITING SET UP
The trade winds make this one of the most reliable places to kite. Island hopping is the thing to do here: the Grenadines consist of small islands grouped closely together. On the main island, Union, there are two kite schools. Hidden far away, the Grenadines are not easy to get to or get around in, so your best option is to join a dedicated kitesurfing boat, picking you up from Grenada and taking you around to all the spots. In a week or longer trip you pretty much live the dream, sailing with everything you need onboard your floating home. Uncharted Kitesurfing organizes trips on a 60 foot, very comfortable catamaran that you can join solo, with a few friends/family, or as a group.
WHEN IS BEST TO GO?
The season runs from mid-November until the end of July: in this period the trade winds are 'on'. They provide very steady wind, from the one direction, between 12-25 knots. December to March see stronger winds, often around 20-25 knots, while March to mid-May, and July see the more gentle winds, 12-20 knots. End of May and June provide stronger winds again that are pretty much guaranteed to blow day and night.
NO WIND?
If you have opted to do a kitesurf charter on Uncharted's catamarans, you will be sailing between the islands, everything on board, with your group or your new friends, and you can pretty much go where you want. The crew makes sure you will never forget this experience of floating around an untouched paradise in the Caribbean (disclaimer: you might make some drastic life changes after this trip). Diving straight off the boat, you can swim with turtles in a stunning Marine Park, put your foil or the wakeboard behind the dinghy, build a campfire, and of course drink rumpunch at the local bars.
JOIN THE KITE CREW
