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South Africa Surfski
South Africa is one of the places most responsible for the development and growth of modern surfski paddling. Like other countries with amazing ocean access, there has long been an ocean sport culture in South Africa where kids grow up participating in Life Saving programs and rescue skill related competitions. This culture has spawned famous surfski racers and shows every sign of continuing to foster new generations of skilled and fierce competitors.
Safety
Please visit and absorb the lessons contained in the surfski.info safety reports posted by experienced South African paddler, Rob Mousley.
There are many extreme conditions that regularly occur in the ocean waters along South Africa's coastline. Most experienced local paddlers are familiar with the hazards in their back yard. But some risks can be deceptive, not visually apparent, and not always easy to anticipate or adequately gauge even for knowledgeable paddlers. One example is described by Rob (surfski.info post) in discussing the possible causes of a 2021 fatality in the waters off of Cape Town:
“The southeaster blows directly offshore on the Atlantic coastline, and it can appear deceptively calm in the lee of the shore, close to the rocks. But a few hundred meters out to sea, the wind, accelerating down the mountainside, can be lashing the water with squalls of 50kt or more. And of course, those howling squalls can arrive without warning, as the southeaster grows in strength. So, it’s possible for a paddler to feel safe in the sheltered water close to the rocks, but in extreme danger from the maelstrom of wind and spray, just a few hundred meters offshore. Adding to the risk is the water temperature. Strong southeasters cause upwellings of cold water: as the warmer surface layer is blown offshore, it’s replaced by frigid water flowing up from the deep.”
Rob's discussion in the above post goes on to remind readers about critically important communication equipment that can make a difference when paddlers are caught in conditions beyond their ability to paddle out of.
- National Sea Rescue Institute (you can make donations via their website to show support for the great rescue service they provide)
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Cold Water Risk the water around the Western Cape is generally colder than the coastline farther east. But it is dangerous to underestimate the risk of somewhat warmer water - extended immersion will still kill you
Downwind/Paddles
TCSurfski Podcast - Oscar Chalupsky does a guide of South Africa Downwind Runs
Regions
(Coastline West to East)
Western Cape
- Western Cape Knysna, Witsand, False Bay, Fish Hoek, Cape Town, Langebaan…
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Eastern Cape
- Eastern Cape East London, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), Cape Recife, St. Francis Bay…
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KwaZulu-Natal
- KwaZulu-Natal Richards Bay, Durban, Amanzimtoti, Scottburgh…
Downwind Videos
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Weather
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Injury and Recovery
- Ocean Riders Academy - Durban technique, training, rehab
Coaching
- Blue Abyss AquaticsSt Francis Bay facebook page
- Mocke Surfski School Fish Hoek
- Paddling Academy (facebook) Durban
- The Paddling Shop Port Elizabeth Surfski School
- South Africa Surf Ski (facebook) Durban (Salt Rock) Barry Lewin
- WildDogs - Durban, Hayley Nixon, Linton Hope
Groups & Clubs
Interior
- Gauteng
- Johannesburg
Coastline East to West
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Durban
- …
- Eastern Cape
- East London
- Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
- Western Cape
- False Bay
- Cape Town
- Stanford
- Stanford Canoe Club (facebook)
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Races
Surfski Dealers/Makers/Equipment
Dealers
- Carbonology Sport (based in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha))
- Fenn (based in East London)
- Knysna (based in Knysna)
- Orka Paddles (based in Cape Town) paddles, rudders, accessories, Fenn Surfskis
Revo Kayaksformerly based in Durban - Bought and moved to Australia (Revo Australia Facebook)
Equipment
Used
Resources
- Paddle Africa Surfski adventures
- Surfski.info Premier website for surfskiers, based in SA
- SUP & Surfski Tribe Cape Town, Lessons, Shuttles, Repairs
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Miller's Run Sight - photo D. Mocke video
