Continent |
Africa |
Country |
South Africa |
Next Big City |
Cape Town |
Next Town |
Somerset West |
|
Type: |
Ocean |
Rider Ability: |
Intermediate, Expert |
Features: |
Shop, Toilet, Food, Parking |
Water
Type: |
Shallow, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave |
Hazards: |
Swimmers, Stakes |
Quality: |
Crystal clear |
Best Tide: |
No information |
Part of False Bay. The ocean has large chop, flat between waves. Waves are 1-4 ft in summer, 3-6 ft in winter. Wave direction is W to SW. Outside reef (150m off shore) has nice swell. Sandy bottom, except for launch area at Shark Rock - watch out for the pole! Surf in winter is best.
Beach
Type: |
Sand |
Size: |
Medium |
Hazards: |
Bystanders |
Beach Users: |
None |
Soft white sand. 50+m wide. Not ideal for beginners - lots of bathers and surfers downwind. Take-off in SW is at the end of the beach on SE side. Take-off on NW is at the surfer's side (NW).
Weather
Spring:
|
Normal |
Summer:
|
Shorts, Shorty |
Fall:
|
Normal |
Winter:
|
Normal |
Water is warmer than Table View (West Coast). Baggies and rashvest in summer. 4/3/2 wetsuit in winter.
Wind
Best Months: |
January, February, March, November, December |
Wind Type: |
Trade |
Best Direction: |
SW |
Main Direction: |
SE, NW |
SW is best, sideonshore, 1 or 2 days per week. NW is often gusty (predominant in winter). SE is dangerously gusty and side-off (predominant in summer). Season year-round when winds change from NW to SW as cold fronts pass below Cape Point.
How to get there
Transport |
Car |
Access
|
Short walk |
Taxi, bus, car, run like hell from the airport take the N2 North towards Somerset West. At the Strand/Somerset west turnoff, turn right onto Baden Powel. Past Somerset Mall, keep right and take the right turnoff onto Beach road. Cary on until you reach the 7-11 shop. Launch is opposite.
Extra information
The Strand area is now officially zoned. Kiting is only allowed between the marker flags on the beach in the area in front of the clubhouse, and the fence that runs into the ocean. Strand kitesurfing club and the lifesavers next to the clubhouse enforces the zoning. The zoning is necessary due to a crowded beach and water by beach-goers, which could lead to serious accidents. Kite leashes and helmets recommended.
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