another windless day ive been watching the south africa series one to seven on vimeo for a while to get over the blues, im a retard with the pc maybe some one post the series and we can all watch in disgust at the perfect conditions cheers cauncy

kiteboy dave said...

I lived there for 9 months, some of the best times of my life.

A lot of South Africans living in Oz who say its the worst time of their lives.

Ercorn said...

kiteboy dave said...

I lived there for 9 months, some of the best times of my life.

A lot of South Africans living in Oz who say its the worst time of their lives.

I'm a saffer. Only moved here because my parents did. Going back on Monday. Best time of my life, Cape Town is paradise to me :)

I fink that's freaky!

To much wit blitz and Durban poison does that to you.

I miss South Africa so much! I run a kitesurfing school in Langebaan called The Kitesurfing Collective and I don't get back over there until September!!

One of our instructors put together this video from last season and I can't stop watching it!



(I never can get it to actually come up with the preview! But it is worth the click - I promise!)

On a side note, if you're ever wanting to go for a trip to Langebaan - whether that is 2 weeks or 2 months - our centre offers gap-years and camps with beachside accommodation in communal kitesurf villa - it's a pretty good life!

Jess

Do you surf?
if you do GO! you will score epic uncrowded waves all through winter on all coastlines. and its cheap (other than getting there of course).
like traveliing any 3rd world country just be mindful and use those manners your mam taught ya and you'll be sweet.

bigmark100 said...

Not a great place to bring up a family.

I know what your saying.....but I have to disagree to some extent.

I think as long as you choose a decent area and housing, it's an absolutely fantastic place to bring up kids. Education is pretty good, healthcare is good, and the lifestyle is fantastic- similar to what you'd expect here if you're lucky enough to live near the beaches.

We were lucky enough to live for three years in Bloubergstrand/ Melkbosstrand, with the (kite), beaches minutes away. Even when the summer wind is blowing its nuts off, you can drive around the peninsula and find a relatively sheltered beach.

What struck me about living there was the absolute respect the kids have for their parents, elders- and others. Virtually no yobbish or antisocial behaviour. Compare that to some of the behaviour back in the UK or even some suburbs her. Very few paedo's too and the like.

We very nearly ended up going back there- we still might in a few years time. My only reservations about the place are the future prospects and of course, the uncertain political climate. We're heading back to the UK for now as we've missed not having family over here with a young 2.5 y/o daughter. Other than that, we've loved it here too but Sydney at least is not a patch on Cape Town IMO.

Cape Town is probably the safest city in South Africa. Jo'burg is another story. Other than petty theft a la every place on earth, I know of only one person during my time there who was a victom of more serious crime, and he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time (bodged armed robbery of a winefarm and the goons held him up at gunpoint as he was leaving for his car/ getaway).

We'll be back there in Feb visiting the in-laws and I cant wait

Anyway, I just recommend you check it out for yourself. It's kiting nirvana IMO as much for the after session jol in the countless beach bars as the conditions themselves on the water Oh, and the kiteschools are always looking for seasonal IKO instructors between around October and April...

(and I 2nd Die Antwoord. Weird feckers that they are. Jack Parrow is pish funny too).

richswing said...

^^ Agreed.

Cape Town is the safest city in RSA, they're more chilled back there compared to Joburg and even Durban.

If it wasn't for the crime I would be back there in a heartbeat. I know alot of people who have lost there lifes to crime or have been affected by it, one example an ex teacher of mine watched his young daughter get her brains blown out in attempted hi-jacking and I can list lot more but that is depressing.

My brother inlaw moved back to RSA from the UK to have the life and he deffinately has it back but not all can make ago of it in that climate (some gus make a killing there "financially")

Durban I reckon is the next best major city, it has the best year round consistant surf (year round is the key) and has prevailing NE blow during summer but no-where as strong as Perth. The water temp in winter is like 20 odd degrees, I bought my first wetsuit when I moved to Perth, and the winters are great (average 20-24deg days and 15 deg nights). The summers are a different story, humid and hot as hell.

But OZ is great for bringing up kids, its taken me along time to come to grips with moving to OZ (hanging onto the past and friends/family) but I am now happy were I am( unless we have another crap summer like last season).

I understand why the Ozzies get the sh!ts with the Saffers always living on the past and comparing - but when you leave a country not to your 100% own accord you will always be in the past unitl you come to terms with it.

Totsiens
Rich

On the contrary, Cape Town is now the most dangerous city, not the safest. It used to be, but not anymore.

http://africasacountry.com/2012/01/26/3-south-african-cities-make-most-dangerous-cities-in-world-list/

The whole of africa in many respects is sad. Absolute beauty plagued by corruption and crime.

I supposed that f-up Joburg and Durban and now its time for Cape Town!

The ruling party moves in droves of their "Supporters" into area like Cape Town to try and change the majority - and with that the "skabenga's" (naughty people).

Typical, once an area has been raped and pillaged they move onto the next like a swarm of locusts. - Oh yea now I remember why I left!

cauncy said...

another windless day ive been watching the south africa series one to seven on vimeo for a while to get over the blues, im a retard with the pc maybe some one post the series and we can all watch in disgust at the perfect conditions cheers cauncy

I haven't checked them out properly myself yet just had a quick preview, but they look good, here they are.

One


Two


Three


Four


Five


Six


Seven

OK I'll come clean with you guys.

I lived at Knysna, I worked at a backpackers as the river guide, taking groups of backpackers on a day trip kayaking up the river.

So many memories, quite a few xxx rated. So many avos driving home, bakkie full of backpackers (up to 12), stopping at the biltong & cheese stand for a fresh bag, driving back with a cold beer between my legs, sharing my beef with some hot, dripping wet backpacker chickie in the passenger seat, knowing full well I'd continue tuning her round the nightly campfire... and I'd have a pretty good chance as I was pretty toned and tanned from paddling 50kms/week..

Fellas I cried leaving that town. There I said it.

But it was basically tear myself away then or stay forever. Let the outeniqua rust set in.

Long time ago, now I'm old and married and rapidly turning to fat. Couldn't be happier with what I have now though.

kiteboy dave said...

OK I'll come clean with you guys.

I lived at Knysna, I worked at a backpackers as the river guide, taking groups of backpackers on a day trip kayaking up the river.

So many memories, quite a few xxx rated. So many avos driving home, bakkie full of backpackers (up to 12), stopping at the biltong & cheese stand for a fresh bag, driving back with a cold beer between my legs, sharing my beef with some hot, dripping wet backpacker chickie in the passenger seat, knowing full well I'd continue tuning her round the nightly campfire... and I'd have a pretty good chance as I was pretty toned and tanned from paddling 50kms/week..

Fellas I cried leaving that town. There I said it.

But it was basically tear myself away then or stay forever. Let the outeniqua rust set in.

Long time ago, now I'm old and married and rapidly turning to fat. Couldn't be happier with what I have now though.

"Every man dies, not every man really lives" - William Wallace

Capetown looks Righteous!
Is this capetown?

IanR said...

Yea wishy Cape town is righteous
It's hard to tell if that's Cape Town from that photo it looks more like San Sebastan Bay to me about three hours out of Cape Town where I believe he has a house.

Also I forgot to mention the awesome water temps in Cape Town the Atlantic side is between 5 and 10 degrees in Summer and the India Ocean side (False Bay) is toasty warm at between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius. The water actually gets colder in Summer

Doesn't look like Cape Town to me neither- not the Atlantic Seaboard side anyway. The only mountains you'd really see from that side are Table Mtn (obv), Lions Head and Signal Hill and those in the pic don;t look like them.

Yes, the water is frigging f r e e z i n g ! Good thing is though the Great Whites *apparently* also find it a bit too chilly to dine in. You'll find those aplenty around the corner on the Indian Ocean side. Having said that, friends have been reporting of "sightings", on the Bloubergstrand (Atlantic), side around the now rusting heap of the stricken Seli coal barge that ran aground in very strong winds a few years ago (the one NJ jumped off).

If you're feeling really adventurous, you can do a downwinder from Milnerton/ Blouberg' all the way across to Robben Island (Mandelas 'home', for a good while), and then back across to Melkbosstrand or beyond. Seems to be getting quite popular to do now although should never be attempted without back-up.

http://forums.ikiteboarding.com/forums/1/38053/ShowThread.aspx

epic

IanR said...

pomE
Does anyone one do the cross down winder from Strand To Muizenberg
That could be fun. But a little dangerous
There's got to be some breaks that are rarely ridden in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain

Not all that familiar with the "other side", around Strand etc. Never fancied it to be honest- I did a shark cage dive out that way couple of years ago, and got to see first hand some of the big buggers that lurk beneath LOL. Saw several Great Whites in excess of 5m.