- Experience Days Guides
- Recreational Water Sports in South Africa
Recreational Water Sports in South Africa
- JUNE 15, 2018
- Category : GUIDES
- WRITTEN BY: Admin
For thousands of years humans have been taking to the water to travel, find food, and for recreation, and for thousands of years humans have been competitive. It’s no wonder then, that water sports are so hugely popular across the globe and come in many variations. We’re constantly coming up with new inventions and innovative ways to harness the power of water for our own enjoyment, and as technology develops, so does equipment, paving the way for even more aquatic adventures. With a coastline like South Africa’s, water sports are easy to come by, so in this article we’ve picked a few of our favourites to explain in more detail, and to indicate where in the country you can get to grips with them. Read on for unique gift ideas, futuristic water sports, and perhaps the possibility of a new hobby!
Surfing in South Africa
Riding waves on a surfboard is one of those activities that is difficult to date back to a particular time period, as it was used by many cultures around the world and therefore not officially ‘invented’ by any one person. It is generally accepted, however, that the Polynesian tribes of the Pacific Ocean were the first to incorporate surfing into their warrior training, fishing, and spiritual rituals. Since then, surfing has evolved into a competitive sport that takes a lot of skill and training to master, and has brought attention to lesser known parts of the world as havens for spectacular waves.
One of these havens is South Africa, and in particular, Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg, Western Cape. For over a hundred years avid surfers have flocked to the beaches on the False Bay coastline, searching for the swells that make the area so famous. In 1910, when word spread about the incredible surfing that could be done there, Muizenberg rocketed to the most popular holiday destination in South Africa – and it also happened to be the location of the first recorded example of stand-up surfing. If you want to learn to surf in Muizenberg today, then Surf Emporium are the people to talk to. Starting at R450 for a group lesson, Surf Emporium will provide a surfboard and wetsuit and an expert instructor to take you through the motions, so you’ll be riding those waves in no time!
Muizenberg might be the best, but there are plenty of other places to surf (and learn to surf) in Western Cape, mostly around Cape Town. Try Stoked School of Surf, for example, located on the beautiful beaches of Camps Bay. Offering a variety of lessons from group intro classes to private courses, Stoked Surf School will show you that standing up on the board is easier than you think, and you’ll soon be addicted to the thrill of catching the perfect wave. There’s also Big Bay Surf, a watersports company located in, you guessed it, Big Bay! With prices starting at R390 for a one hour lesson, Big Bay Surf provides an affordable introduction into the world of surfing. Lessons also make fun experience gifts for your adventurous friends, and you can purchase vouchers for Stoked School of Surf and Big Bay Surf online here.
With over 2,500km of coastline, there are countless more locations to surf in South Africa rather than the tourist towns. Jeffrey’s Bay near Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, is one of these locations, offering visitors swells that can ride up to 800m and a community of surfers that will welcome you like an old friend. Ansteys Beach, near Durban, is also brilliant for budding surfers, offering immense swells away from the buzzing population of the main city. When it comes to South Africa, there aren’t many no-go areas, so grab your board, suit up, and hit the waves!
Jet Skiing in South Africa
Interesting fact; the term ‘jet-ski’ is actually the name of a brand, manufactured by Japanese company Kawasaki. Because the name has become so synonymous with what we know to be a jet-ski, many people forget (or don’t know in the first place) that it’s not its proper name. So what is the proper term for a jet-ski? Personal watercraft. Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it? Better still, the first models were called water scooters, which is just adorable.
The reason we all know the term jet-ski is because Kawasaki dominated the industry in the 70’s, and continue to manufacture the majority of stand-up and sit-down jet-skis to this day. If you want to own a personal watercraft, then they’re fairly easy to come by second hand on Gumtree, Olx, AutoTrader etc., or you can purchase a new one from a Kawasaki dealership for R220,000. If that’s a little outside your price range, then jet-ski rental or a guided tour might be more suitable. Our top pick for jet-ski experiences in Cape Town comes from Ocean Star Charters, based out of Granger Bay near the V&A Waterfront. A qualified and professional instructor will give you a safety briefing and demonstration on how to use the jet-ski, then take your group out around Table Bay harbour for an hour of high-speed adrenaline. Seeing the Cape Town skyline and the iconic mountain range from the ocean is a sight like no other, and if you’re lucky you may be joined by dolphins and whales!
Because jet-skis are highly versatile machines, you can take them out on nearly any body of water, including rivers, lakes, and even dams! Hartbeespoort Dam offers 15 minute jet-ski experiences for as little as R190 per person, so you can zoom around the calm waters and take in the tranquil surroundings of North West province – the closest jet-ski experience to Gauteng. Also in North West is Sun City Waterworld, where you can jet-ski on their 1000m x 500m man-made lake for R639, or share the fun with a friend on a double jet-ski for R769! The resort also offers go-karting, parasailing, water-skiing and loads more, so you could make a complete day of action-packed adventure without travelling around.
If you want to learn how to ride a jet-ski like a pro, head to The Boarder Post in Port Edward for an instructor-lead course at their water sports park. After an introductory explanation of the various controls and how the jet-ski operates, the instructor will take you out for a demonstration and an exciting passenger ride to show you what these machines are capable of. Then it’s your turn!
Jet-skiing is a fun activity that can be enjoyed with friends and family, and is ideal for adventurous youngsters who want to experience the thrill of water sports with an adult at the helm. With many locations across South Africa to choose from, it’s easier than even to book a wet and wild jet-ski day out!
Kitesurfing in South Africa
Kitesports are numerous and varied, operating on land and water with a range of different materials and methods. Our focus, however, is the exciting sport of kitesurfing, which has been around since at least the early 19th century. As with many popular water sports (sailing, surfing, paddleboarding etc.), kitesurfing was invented as a means of transport, then technology evolved and the need for kitepower was eradicated. The practice didn’t die out though; it was instead turned into a skilful water sport that thousands of people participate in every year, whether for recreation or professional competitions. Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise patented a kitesurf design in 1977, leading the way for many other manufacturers to build on the sketch and produce lighter, more efficient kites that allowed users to surf for extended periods of time.
But how does it work? The concept is fairly simple; a rider straps their feet to a surf-type board and attaches a harness round their waist, which is in turn attached to a large kite that harnesses the power of the wind to pull the rider along the surface of the water. Because you aren’t being pulled by a boat, there’s a lot more freedom of movement involved which allows the rider to catch waves and jump through the air, perform tricks and flips, and gain incredible lengths of air time. The current world record for the biggest kitesurf jump belongs to Nick Jacobsen of Cape Town, who jumped 28.6m lasting 8.5 seconds!
Nick Jacobsen is part of the team at Cabrinha, who also offer kitesurfing lessons in Cape Town. Choose from group lessons, private lessons, and half day courses for a comprehensive introduction to kitesurfing, and you may find yourself totally hooked on a new hobby! If kitesurfing isn’t for you but you know someone who’d love to have a go, you can also purchase gift certificates for lessons with Cabrinha here - valid for three years and exchangeable if they change their mind! In KwaZulu-Natal, you can join Ocean2Air for kitesurf lessons in La Lucia, Durban, and get to grips with the sport under the expert guidance of professional instructors. Further up the Western Cape coast from Cabrinha, you can learn kitesurfing from instructors who pride themselves on having teaching qualifications, rather than just experience, with C-Kite in Langebaan. Their private lessons for complete beginners start at just R500 an hour, so there’s really no excuse!
Kitesurfing is an addictive outdoor water sport that’s fun for all ages, and can easily turn into a pastime that you get truly passionate about. No prior experience is needed to get started, and with such scenic locations across South Africa, kitesurfing is an energetic and active way to get outside and immerse yourself in the landscape!
Cape Town Dragon Boat Race
Surfing, jet-skiing and kitesurfing might be some of the most popular water sports in South Africa, but we didn’t want to write this article without mentioning the Cape Town Dragon Boat Race. For a bit of backstory, dragon boats date back to southern China over 2500 years ago, where they were used for a number of different activities and events. Much like modern rowing, dragon boats are long and narrow but paddlers sit in two staggered rows, and use one paddle each rather than oars. When special celebrations and races are on, the boats are decorated with intricate dragon heads and tails, as in Chinese tradition dragons are believed to be rulers of water. The crew would typically include 20 paddlers, one steerer, and a drummer who keeps the rhythm of the paddlers and produces the ‘heartbeat of the dragon’.
A standard dragon boat race would involve a sprint event, covering distances between 200m to 2000m depending on the size of the festival. Races have existed in Cape Town since 1992, when two dragon boats were gifted to the city by I'lan County, Taiwan. Since then, associations and clubs have been established to organise regattas, races, and training, expanding dragon boat racing to the masses. The first Cape Town Dragon Boat Racing International was held in 1995, where seven teams from around the world competed in the flag-catching event – this involves a team member leaning out over the dragon’s head to snatch the flag at the finish line first. The festival grew in popularity over the years, and teams made up of students, corporations, Marines, Navy sailors, and charity organisations all took part. Unfortunately, the last Cape Town Internationals was raced in 2004, but the legacy lives on and many dragon boat clubs still exist. There are also clubs in others parts of the country, including Johannesburg and Parys!
Hopefully one day the dragon boat race will return, as the atmosphere and energy of the event was truly spectacular. If you want to get into dragon boat racing, there’s the Cape Town PaddleSnappers Dragon Boat Club, Mujaji also in Cape Town, amaBele Belles, Drachen Hari-yoshi, and several others.
Surf’s Up!
We hope you’ve found some inspiration in our water sports article, and are eager to get into the water and try something new. Of course there are hundreds more sports than the four we’ve talked about here, so if you know of a unique or exciting water activity that you think we should know about, please get in touch in the comments section! We also love hearing about what our readers are up to, so feel free to let us know about any charity events, sports clubs, or upcoming races that you want to raise awareness for.
Water sports also make fantastic experience gifts for outdoorsy, adventurous people, so browse through our category here and find the ultimate gift for a loved one. Enjoy!
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