Should you take your kitesurfing lessons in Bloubergstrand or Langebaan lagoon?
Once upon a time we were all students of kitesurfing…
When running a kitesurfing school, one of the most important things to do on a regular basis and to keep in mind, is putting yourself in your students shoes.
In our experience, a few of the most common questions our students of kitesurfing ask us are:
- Where is the easiest and safest location to learn how to kitesurf?
- Is kitesurfing safe?
- How long will it take me to learn?
- How much will it cost me?
Our most common question is “Where is the easiest and safest location to learn how to kitesurf?”
So I’d like to take some time and break this question up Step-By-Step.
There are many kitesurfing locations in and around Cape Town. A few of the most popular are:
- Bloubergstrand
- Langebaan
- Muizenberg
- Big Bay
- Misty Cliffs
- Hermanus Lagoon
By a long shot, the 2 most popular locations to learn on are; Langebaan & Bloubergstrand.
Langebaan
Is situated around 130km north of Cape Town central. The drive will take you just over an hour depending on your vehicle of choice.
Langebaan, Shark Bay is well known for it shallow warm waters and the local shrimp fisherman, who take advantage of the low tides when they get the chance.
The vibe here during the September & October months is extra special, as there’s a high possibility that you’ll have the whole lagoon to yourself and on a sunny day!
Bloubergstrand
Of course Bloubergstrand also known as Blouberg beach, is well known for its iconic views of the seventh wonder of nature, Table Mountain.
The fiery sunsets here are unprecedented and are close to if not the most stunning you’ll witness during your stay in Cape Town.
So which location is more optimal for kitesurfing lessons?
Well let’s look at the positives and negatives of each location.
Langebaan
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Blouberg Beach
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This list is just a slight breakdown of the positives and negatives of each spot.
But as you can see it’s almost as if each spot mirrors each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Which of course, is typical when it comes to nature. Unpredictable.
So where does our kitesurfing school actually teach?
One of the things that defines our kitesurf school at the core, is that we aim to pass on the experience of kitesurfing in the most fun, efficient and effective way.
We have structured our courses in the following way, to benefit from both positives and negatives of each spot.
Day 1 of your course (Land based lesson)
Will take place on Blouberg beach. We set it up this way because you benefit much more from the calmer and less crowded beaches. This way you will learn in a relaxed state and retain much more valuable information, you’ll need for your next courses.
No one wants to attempt their first lesson with 50 other kites flying around them.
Day 2 of your course (Land & Water based lesson)
If the Ocean conditions are favourable for your kitesurfing lessons to take place, then the 2nd day of your course is also completed on Blouberg beach.
We know very well what conditions are safe and not safe to attempt a kite lesson in, we ask that you trust our expertise in the matter.
The reason we prefer structuring your 2nd lesson on Blouberg beach, is for four main reasons:
- Small waves do not affect your learning curve as you are not attempting board starts yet.
- You will benefit extremely well from the less crowded beaches, as you are still getting used to your kite control.
- The water during low tide is waist deep, which is perfect to attempt body drags. (You need this depth when performing body drags, as your harness will catch on the ground if the water is too shallow, this makes your experience uncomfortable.
- Your instructors will teach you real world safety exercises that one can only perform realistically in the sea, not a lagoon.
(Please note* If conditions are really not favourable for your 2nd lesson to take place in Blouberg, we will of course schedule your lesson to take place in Langebaan lagoon)
Day 3 of your course (Water based)
By now you will be feeling quite comfortable with your kite control. (Note* This is key in learning to ride the board)
Day 3 of your kitesurfing course will take place in Langebaan lagoon, as this is where you will benefit the most from shallow, flat water.
Day 3 is all about learning to stand and balance on the board in unison with steering your kite up and down to create the power you’ll need to surf through the water.
As Langebaans conditions are quite favourable for many beginner kitesurfers, this location can become quite crowded in the summer months of December, January, February and March.
However Coastline has created quite a successful method of avoiding the “traffic” so to speak.
What is our method of avoiding the the traffic?
Glad you asked!
Upon arriving at langebaan lagoon, your instructors will brief you on the new location, once everyone is kitted with their gear and ready to start, your instructor will take control of the kite & board and will then navigate safely through the traffic to a point in the lagoon which is usually less busy.
All you have to do is wade (walk) through the warm, waist deep water and meet your instructor at that point.
Coastline instructors make the extra effort when teaching you how to ride the board and every time you get to close to the traffic, your instructor will take over and navigate the kite and board back to the less crowded areas of the lagoon.
This method of teaching is much more tiresome than one would imagine, which is also the reason most other schools do not do it.
However when booking a lesson with Coastline, you are assured our instructors will always go the extra nautical mile for you!
Conclusion*
We work hard to make sure you get the experience of a lifetime and will make sure that by the end of your course, you are up and sailing with the wind!
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” ― John Muir