This winter Reider Decker traveled 70° south from Hatteras Island, NC, to Cape Town, South Africa, chasing the endless summer. There he found howling winds and fun swell.
Watch Reider’s strapless video shot in Cape Town!
70° South
The size of the kite chosen for kitesurfing may invariably set you for success in your endeavor or probable hardships along the way. A larger kite will render situations quite dangerous while a too small of a kite can lead to frustration. This is why the right size is extremely important when choosing a kite for kitesurfing. So, how do you select the best kite for kitesurfing purposes? Here are some of the most important factors to consider in this regard.
Rider weight plays a major part when choosing the best kite for kitesurfing. The more your weight, the more larger kite you require to get you on the board. Kite sizes range from 5 to 17 meters, which represent the fabric area of the kite. A smaller rider should first choose a single digit kite when he or she is learning kitesurfing. If you are a heavier rider, you should consider choosing a kite in the range of double digits. If you weigh less than 120-pounds, a 5-meter kite is recommended for you during the initial sessions of your kitesurfing exercise. People between 121 and 150-pounds should go for a 7-meter kite while those who are between 151 and 175-pounds should look for a 9-meter kite. Likewise, if you are between 176 and 200-pounds go for a 11-meter kite. All those who weight over 200 pounds should look at a 13-meter kite for that matter.
There are many other factors that play a major role when selecting the best kite size other than the rider’s weight. The average wind speeds at the local kite-boarding area plays an important role as well. The aforementioned kite sizes are good in areas where the average wind speed is between 15-25mph. If you plan to surf in an area that has a relatively lighter wind speed such as 10-15mph, you should be looking to choose a kite that is 1-3 meters larger than what was mentioned above. On the other hand, if you are kitesurfing in a area with a higher wind speed such as above 25mph, you should look to choose a kite that is 1-3 meters smaller than suggested above.
The kite board size is another factor that will influence your decision of choosing the right kite size. A smaller board or a wake board of 125-135cm will reduce the power of your kite by creating more drag while surfing. If this is your case, you have to increase the size of your kite at least by a couple of meters. If you have a board that is in excess of 160cm, you should consider a smaller kite. This is because it takes less power to get such a board moving on the water. Read More
Kitesurfing is an interesting sport. It combines two sports into one awesome one. If you haven’t learned the ins and outs of it yet, you can find relatively cheap classes on the west coast of Africa. I’d recommend Langebeen. This tropical location has loads of schools with English-speaking teachers. They offer many different types of classes to fit any skill level. There’s one that’s perfect for your kids too.
How Kitesurfing Works
You’ll surf the waves with the help of the wind once you step on a kitesurfing board. Unlike traditional surfing, your board isn’t just relying on the power you can provide it and the current. Wind speed is just as important. So is the direction that the wind’s going. The kite attached to your board, making it look almost like a sailboat, is going to provide a great deal of power by harnessing the energy flowing through the atmosphere.
Kitesurfing Langebaan: Things To Know
The climate is pretty warm most of the year. A wet suit is not likely to be required. During the winter months, the water does get a little cooler. Sometimes it can even dip below freezing. It’s always wise to pack several different types of bathing suits just in case. If you’re coming during the summer, there shouldn’t be an issue.
It does not snow in Langebaan, but sometimes it does rain. As long as there is no lightening, kitesurfing is still perfectly safe. You should protect yourself against the sun if it’s a clear day. Use the highest SPF you can find. Remember, even the best sunscreen on the market only lasts 45 minutes. Be sure to reapply it in-between catching waves.
How Much Does A Kitesurfing Board Cost?
You may have to buy the kite seperately. Usually, a decent board costs around $500. Of course, you could easily spend more then a $1,000 if you have the money. If this is an activity you like to do on every vacation, dropping the grand might be well worth it.
Other supplies, like bikinis, beach shorts, and wet suits obviously vary in price. Wet suits can be rather expensive. You can find a used one on eBay if you’d like to save a little money. Be sure to have it cleaned!
An Interesting And Peaceful Fact About The City Of Langebaan
To protect its culture as a fishing and surfing destination, the town does not allow industries. There will be no smog or ugly buildings to cloud your view of this beautiful place. The locals there mainly make money off of tourist like you. Since it’s one of their only sources of income, it’s important that we all get down there.
It’s Time To Take A Kitesurfing Langebaan Vacation!
Tired of those pricey, European beaches? You don’t have to spend that type of money to get an amazing experience. There are plenty of happy locals in Langebaan that would love to teach you how to kitesurf. They’ll do a great job at showing the whole family the ropes!
Book kitesurfing lessons Langebaan.
