Ahooi everyone
First off, a belated welcome to the hundreds of international kiters who have descended on our shores.
The last 72 hours have presented us with EPIC conditions heh? Nuking winds combined with 6ft plus walls of Atlantic ice water relentlessly rolling into Table Bay. As a local who has kited all over the planet I think it is fair to say it has been world class.
That is apart from a pretty significant fly in the ointment or perhaps more accurately a turd in the punchbowl – rider chaos. (Using my local spot Dolphin as a reference point but I suspect that it is a credible proxy for other spots in the Mother City)
International kiters have a tendency to all bunch together like flies on elephant dung. (50 kiters together when you have an entire bay, why?)
When you combine the conditions and crowds with varying skill levels, wave riders out of their depth and monster egos and arrogance on the water and you get a fokop. (Yesterday saw trashed kites, mangled lines, deep facial lacerations, oi it was a mess.) Interestingly though no locals were involved in any of these dramas, as far as I m aware, as the locals know the conditions and avoid tourist riders like goats with fleas- given that they can simply not to be trusted.
Irrespective whether you are a pro or a kook, Cape Town is wild. And it takes no prisoners. (ask Nic J) So, for tourist safety (because you all have the seeming intention to murder one another) please take heed of the basic rules and vibe guide below.
1.Be friendly and smile! You are in Sunny SA!
2.The first 50m of water is for guys coming in or leaving the water. Don’t jump or do free style here. It is just dumb.
3.Roll your lines up when you have landed your kite, or someone will do it for you.
4.Rider with right hand forward on bar has right of way. (in other words the dude or dudette on the incoming tack at e.g. Dolphin beach has right of way – really it is not difficult)
5.Avoid beginners and give them right of way.
6. Know your own limitations and do not risk it in conditions where you are not sure you have the necessary skill required. Please. It is not only about you but the other water users as well.