Been on the ground for five days, three of them already epic windy, good stuff, generally boosting high (for me) on 9 and 7m and once down to 5.5m. The beaches are not too crowded yet, still about half locals and half visitors. Local shops had their demo days this weekend, lots of fun trying new kites and boards. But some craziness is apparent.
Yesterday at Kite beach there was a guy, shaved head, riding white and green Vegas with boots on TT, clearly a very good rider, but also a little scary and obnoxious. He was cursing folk on the beach who got in his way, and cursing out on the water if someone was in his "landing zone", including me. He apparently expected everyone else to clear out while he showed off his megaloop skills. Not to mention that he would ride up the sand and stand there with his kite at 12 waiting for an opening to rip another one, generally obstructing anyone else nearby on the beach. To top it all off, he took his little daughter out, clutching his legs, and did some medium size jumps with her, not landing all of them. I try to avoid guys like him.
Today, during a downwinder to Haakgat, I came across three guys with an 8m kite just north of Big Bay. I was completely lit on a 7m. The guy harnessed to the kite was smaller than me and clearly a beginner, tomahawking the kite and getting dragged all over the place. I recovered his board and took it back to shore and asked what was up. Apparently one of the three knows how to kite and was teaching the other two, YIKES! I think they got my message and quit, but a good way to get injured. The wind is just so much more intense here, it really is not a great spot to learn, better to go to Langebaan and take real lessons.
A couple pros are here, Kevin Langaree has posted several videos already, Lasse Walker was helping at the Duotone demo yesterday, unfortunately Gijs Wassenaar, who apparently jumped from Duotone to Airrush, was back in the Netherlands and not present at their demo today, and I believe Nick Jacobsen is around as someone was jumping big on a North kite. Locals Ross-Dylan Player (Red Bull Megaloop champ) was riding yesterday and I know Mike MacDonald (of Woo-record fame) is around but I've yet to see him. Lots of other good locals and visitors riding, including Anthony and Allan on their strapped surfboards, getting ready for the strapped surf-riding competition next weekend. And a few brave guys trying to ride foil-SUPs with wings.
Had a pleasant braai at Mystic house on Friday, Wouter is a good guy there and chatted with Will from Cornwall and "John" (not sure how to spell it but phonetically John) from Turkey who had injured his leg, contrary to my previous perception of that crowd - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2401739&hilit=moon+is+half+full. Gonna enjoy these next three months here!