GOOD FOR: Multi-discipline learning in acres of flat water just 90 minutes from Cape Town!
“An endless playground of butter-flat waters, with a little hike through Ostrich country to get to Shark Bay. It feels like you’re on a mini safari!” Susi Mai, Tona Team Rider and Cabarete resident
THE LURE
The ‘jewel of the west coast’, Langebaan is essentially flat water heaven! This huge, turquoise lagoon is set in the rugged terrain and dazzling natural beauty of the west coast with plenty of space, white-sand beaches and constant cross-shore winds during the season. This is one of South Africa’s top kite spots and it’s especially good for learning, twin-tipping and now foiling. Enjoy easy riding and avoid the seemingly endless swells that Cape Town, 90 minutes south, can produce.
Set next to the protected South African West Coast national park, Langebaan may not have the big five in the village (you can see them within a couple of hours' drive), but it has the slow five: tortoises, whales, sand sharks, porcupines and dune moles.
Main Beach Cruising / Jerrie van der Kop, performance playground / PHOTOS: Svetlana Romantsova, RRD
Guide to Langebaan riding, by WindTown
THE SET-UP
The flat water freestyle heaven of Langebaan provides a more beginner-friendly spot than Cape Town due to the lack of shorebreak, the two main spots in Langebaan are Shark Bay (Kleine Oostewal) and Main Beach. (There is another spot downwind of Main Beach, but the wind is offshore and therefore for advanced kiters only.) Shark Bay is 300 metres south of Langebaan village and ideal for beginners with a huge expanse of shallow, warm water and predominantly cross-onshore winds. Don’t be alarmed by the name, the sharks here are smaller than their deep sea cousins. In the prevailing SE winds, look for an incoming tide here for the magic to begin.
Looking for flat waters? There’s nowhere better for foiling experiences in SA than Langebaan Lagoon! / Photo: Progression
Hire a bike and ride in the stunning national park / Photo: Planet Kitesurf Holidays
Take lunch by the marina at Club Mykonos / Photo: Club Mykonos
Burning turns in the shallows at Main Beach / Photo: Alex Vliege / RRD
Gary Siskar, Shark Bay / Photo: Vincent Bergeron / Liquid Force
Main Beach is at the end of the village high street and suits intermediate and advanced riders with cross-shore winds from the left, bumpier conditions in the middle of the channel but lovely fl at sections closer to shore and behind the island opposite. There are swimmers in the shallows and boats often moored quite close to shore though, so be careful when riding around there. Both spots are tidal and low tide at Shark Bay exposes lots of beach while high tide has the reverse effect, shortening the beach and giving less space for setting up. At the right time it’s an incredible spot to improve your tricks in warmer water than Cape Town and an incoming tide is ideal.
Good conditions can be found between October and March with the main months being November – February, peaking during December and January. Mornings generally bring calmer conditions before the winds build, sometimes up to 40 knots in the afternoon. Langebaan can also be windy when Cape Town isn’t, and vice versa. Temperatures average 25°C / 77°F in the summer and drop in the evening when a sweater and jeans can be needed. Main Beach water temperature is around 17°C / 63°F in the summer, while Shark Bay can get up to 24°C / 75°F which is much warmer than elsewhere on this coast. You’ll usually need a wetsuit for Main Beach, although you can often kite in a shortie at Shark Bay or even just boardies / bikini.
Windy riding, by Sportif Travel
SCHOOLS
WINDTOWN Lagoon Resort and Spa is in the middle of town close to Main Beach. Relax and lounge in the sun by the pool or in shade around the accommodation, restaurant and bar. Open all year, Windtown's kite centre offers a full range of course options. Max ratio is 3:1 and there is a rescue boat. Hire or buy Duotone or Ion gear. Windsurfing and SUP also offered. Wifi throughout resort.
Languages spoken by instructors: English, Dutch and German.
Windtown hotel and school is on the main high street in Langebaan, very close to the kite spot
TRAVEL AGENTS
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
Learning to kite is an experience nobody ever forgets. Janine from Planet Kitesurf had to overcome a harrowing (sort of) childhood kite-related experience before she learnt in Langebaan earlier this year. Read her story here...
Freeride Kitesurf organise personalised kitesurfing trips in South Africa and Brazil. The minute you book one of their trip packages or personalised trips, you won’t have to worry about anything else. Just make sure you’re in good shape to fully enjoy and make the most of your Freeride Kitesurf experience.
There are plenty of accommodation options, from hostels and studio apartments to luxury family homes. Club Mykonos is also a great option as a watersport friendly resort designed in a Grecian style with three and four star accommodations, a number of bars and restaurants, an onsite spa, tennis and squash courts.
CLUB MYKONOS
Located on the serene shores of the scenic Langebaan Lagoon, Club Mykonos is a family friendly holiday destination that also provides a unique and exciting conference and events destination. This premium resort offers guests three tasteful accommodation offerings from the three star Athenian Cascades and Terraces units to the elegant comfort of the four star preferred units. Club Mykonos delivers an abundance of entertainment options and will transport you to your very own Greek paradise.
The setup at Club Mykonos, Langebaan / PHOTOS: Club Mykonos
FRIDAY ISLAND - Beachfront chill with waterfront rooms and restaurant / bar.
Friday Island is situated in the heart of one of the most desirable water sports resort locations in the world. Accommodating up to 40 people, Friday Island is the perfect venue to host parties, weddings, business functions and team-building weekends. With their own little stretch of beach, you can’t get closer to the action. If it is fun you’re after, you are looking at the right place.
Friday Island beach front accommodation at the kite spot / PHOTOS: Friday Island
TRAVEL AGENTS
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
Luxury penthouse, available through Sportif Travel
The Farmhouse Hotel in Langebaan, available through Sportif Travel
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
Luxury villa accommodation through Planet Kitesurf Holidays
The Farmhouse Hotel, available through Planet
Freeride Kitesurf organise personalised kitesurfing trips in South Africa and Brazil. The minute you book one of their trip packages or personalised trips, you won’t have to worry about anything else. Just make sure you’re in good shape to fully enjoy and make the most of your Freeride Kitesurf experience.
Langebaan is located just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town so a kitesurfing holiday to South Africa can be the perfect combination of flat-water kitesurfing in Langebaan, wave kiting in Blouberg and a couple days exploring the beautiful surrounding areas. Langebaan is easily reached by a long, straight road from Cape Town and renting a car is the best way to get around as it also offers you the flexibility to do as you please when you are not kiting.
Stay around Langebaan and you can do horse riding, fishing, sightseeing, wine-land visits, game viewing, cycling, kayaking, pilates and yoga lessons and there’s a Gary Player signature golf course, too. Club Mykonos can also organise sea-fishing charters and quad bike excursions.
Here are some other activities you can do in Langebaan when you are not out kitesurfing:
Other water sports
The Langebaan lagoon is a true water sports mecca! On non-windy days or quiet mornings you can rent a SUP and explore the lagoon or book a guided stand up paddle board tour. For the more adventurous you can hop onto a sailing catamaran excursion, a high-speed rubber duck, a fishing charter or take a whirl on a jetski. If you just want to relax, simply pop down for a drink at the Mykonos resort and watch the boats as they come in and out of the harbour.
Flat water paddling / Photo: Planet Kitesurf
Marina at Club Mykonos
SUP yoga / Photo: Planet Kitesurf
Visit the national park
The West Coast National Park is an unspoilt gem where natural wilderness combines with wild coastline and a pristine glassy lagoon, providing a variety of environments just waiting to be explored. Go waterskiing or tubing in the safe windless haven of Kraalbaai or enjoy a picnic as you marvel at the waves crashing on the rocks on the other side of the peninsula. Enjoy traditional South African cuisine at the Geelbek restaurant or simply go for a drive, spotting some of the area’s many bird species, an eland or a herd of zebra along the way.
Wining and dining
After your kitesurf session the terrace or pool area at Windtown is the place to be. Sip on a cocktail as you lounge on one of the beanbags beside the sparkling pool or nibble on some fish and chips as you dine alfresco. You can also enjoy rustic beach dining at a number of establishments located right on the beachfront or sip on some locally-produced wines at a number of magnificent wine farms found within easy reach of Langebaan. For a very different (and lengthy, 7 course) dining experience for lunch or dinner, check out Die Strandloper and be cooked for over fires on the beach!
Windtown
The Farmhouse
Die Strandloper / Photo: Janine Avery, Planet Kitesurf
Play on the 18-hole golf course, putter around the mashie course, practice your swing at the driving range or take the family to the mountain bike track at Langebaan’s Country Estate which has a host of facilities for the public to enjoy. Tennis and netball courts are also available while the estate and the surrounding areas of Langebaan have a number of running and cycling tracks for some early-morning exercise.
Go on safari
Thali Thali Game Lodge is the perfect place to get a taste of the African safari experience. Situated just 14km from Windtown, Thali Thali is home to giraffe, sable, eland, zebra, wildebeest, sprinkbok, bontebok and ostrich. You can enjoy a leisurely walk around the reserve or explore on a guided game drive, splash around in the pool, enjoy a delicious lunch on the terrace or even sign up for some archery lessons. There is even overnight accommodation in the form of chalets or traditional safari tents where you can spend a night or two on either side of your kitesurfing holiday. I personally recommend a luxury tent – the ultimate in a glamping experience!
GET AROUND
Depending on where you stay you’ll usually be able to walk to Main Beach, although a hire car is highly recommended to see areas outside of Langebaan as public transport is limited.
CURRENCY
South African Rand(R) - £1=R23 / $1= R16 / €1=R18. Most places accept credit cards and there are ATMs in town.
FOOD AND DRINK
Langebaan has two supermarkets and plenty of bars and restaurants just off Main beach serving all types of food, specialising in fresh seafood. There is one nightclub a five minute drive back up the road and there's a bar with live music on certain nights. Don't miss the Strandloper fish restaurant for a very unique (and long) eating experience. Windtown has an in-house restaurant called Breeze, which combines healthy, fresh and seasonal cuisine with local delicacies.
AIRPORT
Cape Town international airport (CPT) is 90 minutes away. Check with your accommodation provider about transfers, although it’s recommended you hire a car to make the most of the area.
TRAVEL AGENTS
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
Freeride Kitesurf organise personalised kitesurfing trips in South Africa and Brazil. The minute you book one of their trip packages or personalised trips, you won’t have to worry about anything else. Just make sure you’re in good shape to fully enjoy and make the most of your Freeride Kitesurf experience.
Photo: Progression
