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Kitekahunas
Grommet 
Member #: 8697 Posts 11
Registered: 28-11-2009 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 4-2-2011 at 08:55 |
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Report about the wind in Cape Town / South Africa from Kitekahunas
We have analysed the wind during our kitesurfing courses in Cape Town for the last 2 years and we think this may be of interest to all
kitesurfers. We here at Kitekahunas operate 11 days or 12 days of advanced kitesurfing courses or kitesafaris in and around Cape Town
(South Africa). During the last 2 seasons we had wind on 9.2 days in average. This is an average of 80 % on the water of all our
kitesurfing course days. This season (2010/11) we had an average of 9.7 days thus far (84%). The wind season in Cape Town usually
starts in late October and ends in April. Taken all of our courses this season into account, there were in each course either 1 or 2
no-wind days (out of 11 or 12), a pretty good yield, with the exception of one course in early November, where we had 4 no-wind days
(which is still 67% wind days). Last season, we had wind till early May, much longer than the historic statistics would suggest. The
best wind was in April last year. The least wind last season was in February, normally the month with most wind, according to historic
stats. But this is the problem with history - it does not necessarily predict the future.
Please note that these solid wind statistics during our courses have been achieved through an everyday in-depth assessment of the wind
situation by our experienced staff, utilizing various sources of wind forecasts (not only windfinder and windguru, but also South
African Weather Services, including their paid subscription access) and a network of people to call. After the assessment in the
morning, we at Kitekahunas select the kitesurfing spot of the day, and if necessary, we drive to a kitesurfing spot within a range of
up to 250km. In our first kitesurfing course in January, for instance, we could bridge 3 no-wind days in Cape Town with a trip to Cape
Agulhas, some 4 driving hours away and overnight stay there. We have found perfect windy conditions during these days. Also, some
kitesurfing beaches in Cape Town may have wind, whilst others don't. So oddslot local knowledge is
of importance. As our analysis revealed, if we had only stayed at our home kitesurfing spot (Sunset Beach), we would have had 69% wind
days during the last 2 seasons and 74% this season thus far. So by making use of our microbus and local wind knowledge, we could boosts
our wind yield by 10% percentage points. This holds true although the home kitesurfing beach of Kitekahunas, Sunset Beach, is the
kitesurfing beach in and around Cape Town with the most wind (with the exception of Cape Point, which is difficult to access, far away
and only for advanced and confident riders).
Please note when interpreting windfinder or windguru that you will almost have to double the forecasted windspeed, because windfinder
and windguru neither take into account the local thermals nor the local jet effects. So when windfinder predicts 20 knots, get yourself
prepared for 35 knots of wind speed! Cape Town in general has a very dense wind due to the relatively cool air temperature. You will
need rather small kites. A 85kg man uses 6/7m - 8/9m - and rarely a 12m kite. A 55kg women uses a 4/5m - 6/7m - and rarely a 9m kite in
Cape Town.
This wind analysis was brougth to you by:
Kitekahunas - Advanced Kitesurfing School
Sunset Beach - Cape Town - South Africa
Located directly on the beach
Kitesurfing Courses
Kitekahunas has attached this image:
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mNeil
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| posted on 4-2-2011 at 21:08 |
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great wind there and as you say add at least another 50% to the forcast.oh you forgot to mention that the sea on that side is
freezing way too cold for me, dont travel all that way to wear a full
winter suit instead i go to the other side at the Strand and wear boardies or maybe a shorty in the warm indian ocean.
A KITE IS FOR LIFE!! THAT IS IF ITS A YARGA.
founder of storm'n Normans van club!
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