Kiting with the Dace Bros

In The Air with Joel and Rory Dace

When moving to St Francis a decade and a half ago, the first thing one gets told is to take cognizance of the wind in everything you do. Think about the wind when designing a house or placing a door or windows. When installing a braai, think about the wind. When walking on the beach, think about the wind because they say that in St Francis Bay, if the wind isn’t blowing, then it’s about to start blowing.

For surfers, this is both good and bad. The wind brings swell, but sometimes too much wind does the opposite and blows it all out to sea. If the swell is from the west and the wind is howling, we can sit on the beach and watch it go straight past the bay.

On the contrary, when the easterly onshore blows, it brings miserable surfing conditions, sand creeping over houses, bluebottles and cold water.

Rory busting moves.

© Mike Ruthnum

So, what do you do as a surfer in the St Francis Bay area when the wind is up? According to Joel and Rory Dace, you go kiting.

“I started kiting about two years ago,” said Joel. “In Cape St Francis, it is so boring when it’s onshore. I saw some guys kiting in the onshore, and it looked so fun, so I decided to try it out.”

Is kiting actually similar to surfing, though, or does nothing compare to surfing for a surfer”? Actually, the wave kiting side is super similar to surfing, but the wind gives you a lot more power,” reckon Joel.

Joel takes flight

© Mike Ruthnum

Rory reckons that the moves that give you the best feelings are loops. ) Definitely kite loops because of the adrenaline rush when you’re up in the air,” reckons Rory. “You start to free fall, and you have to get your kite to catch you, and then you land back on the water. It’s really fun.”

The ultimate rush in surfing must be getting a big barrel or even a medium-sized but intense one. But, unfortunately, that must leave a significant gap in your kiting experience, knowing that you can’t really get barreled and feel the adrenaline rush of a big tube.

“The thing is, you can actually get barrelled kiting too,” said Joel. “Your lines cut through the waves, and it’s pretty sick.”

Joel Dace

© Mike Ruthnum

Rory has also had his fair share of kite barrels. “You can get fully barreled on a kite,” said Rory. “It’s really insane. But, obviously, this is when you’re wave riding in the sea and using a surf-style kiteboard.”

That said, kiting definitely holds more risks than surfing. You’re moving faster, flying through the air at great heights, and you’re a lot close to very

shallow water or dry sand. Joel agrees. “When I first started, I jumped, got picked up by a gust of wind, landed on a dry bank, and broke my foot.”

Both Joel and Rory are sponsored by Core. “I’m so stoked ‘cos I have such epic gear from CORE,’ said Joel of his equipment choices. “I’m currently riding (depending on conditions) - Twintip Board - “Choice 4” 135cm - 2x Wave Boards - “Greenroom” 5’10” - “720” 4’11” My kites are: - 8m(squared) NEXUS (2) - 10m(squared) NEXUS (2) - 12m(squared) NEXUS (2)

The NEXUS is a CORE all-around kite. My brother and I like them ‘cos we like to ride all disciplines of kiting.”

Rory is on a similar game. “Most often use my CORE 8m(squared) NEXUS kite. All my equipment is CORE. I’m lucky to be sponsored because it’s amazing, high-quality kiting stuff. I have a wave riding board which I use strapless freestyle riding. It’s called a “720”, and it’s 4’11’. I use my Twintip CORE “Choice 4” 137cm for more flat water kiting styles. I also have a 10m(squared) and 12m(squared) CORE “NEXUS” kite for gentler wind days.

When it comes to the best kiting spots in the country, both the brothers looked away from St Francis Bay.

Dace bros, concentrating

© Mike Ruthnum

“The best place to kite is Kite Beach Blouberg in Cape Town because the wind is super strong, and the waves make such good kickers to launch off,” said Rory. “I have to choose Blouberg as well, said Joel. ‘The wind just pumps there in the season.”

Kiteboarding, like surfing, can be highly competitive, and both brothers have enjoyed podium finishes enough

times in surfing to know how cool it feels. Rory is keen on getting into the competitive side of kiting when the time is right.

Wind's up on the Kromme

©Mike Ruthnum

“There haven’t been any comps for juniors in SA since I started kiting,” said Rory. “Still, I watched some of my older teammates compete in the Red Bull King of the Air event at the end of last year, which was insane. Hopefully, I’ll get to compete in the Strapless Freestyle/wave GKA kite world tour sometime soon.”

I watched some of my older teammates compete in the Red Bull King of the Air event at the end of last year, which was insane.

Joel hang time

© Mike Ruthnum

LEARNING TO KITE

Kev & Sons Kite School Kev Boucher and his sons run a cool Kite School, and have taught many people to get going in this fast, action-packed sport

Contact details (Kev) 082 449 6807

On offer:

Introduction/beginner lessons through to intermediate and advanced. Flatwater/freestyle with twin tip and wave riding / strapless directional. Advice on all aspects of kiting, safety and do’s and don’ts, and conditions and spots to enjoy or avoid. All gear supplied while advising on purchasing equipment, brand choice, and where to shop.

Lessons:

Two-hour lessons, usually a maximum of 2 hours per day. This can be extended to a 3 or 4-hour lesson, based on the wind, tide and general conditions.

Pricing:

R1200 for two hours R1400 for advanced lessons. Contact Kev for package deals.

Duncan and a new learner

Instructors:

Main instructors: Kevin, Miles and Duncan Boucher Assistant instructors: Oliver Boucher and Ruby Spowart. Helpers: Joel and Rory Dace.

Safety Protocols:

Safety protocols are of the utmost importance. If it is too gusty or dangerous conditions, lessons are postponed. No water time in the introductory lessons. In the water, flat water options instead of the ocean.

Rigging up for a session on the Kromme

Why St Francis?

St. Francis is a consistent and reliable kiting destination. The best season for St Francis is October to March because of the easterly winds. The Kromme River mouth is a great spot. One just needs to time it with the tides. If the wind is not blowing too hard in season, remember that kiters share it with holidaymakers enjoying the river.