Sterkfontein Dam November 09

[Sinisa]

The drive from Durban is approximately 300km, the drive is great as its really scenic and the 300km passed by in no time at all.

Thinking I would be the first to arrive at the dam on Friday, but the other guys beat me to it, and had already been out and enjoying the perfect 18 to 20kts. As I got down to the dam I was really surprised to see the guys kiting in baggies, I thought the water would still be really cold this time of year.

The water temperature was really warm and I would say a sort wetsuit just to take away the wind chill while you are kiting would be perfect.
The wind on Friday was so good; I have not kited in such steady clean winds in a long time. The wind had some really good punch, jumping was insane with serious height and loads of hang time. I was out on the 12m Flexifoil Neutron and was perfect for the conditions. The kite has awesome up-wind abilities and the hang time the kite produces is extremely impressive.

We ended off the day around 5:30, was a perfect day Kitesurfing at Sterkies.

Saturday morning:
Waking up to the wind rattling the doors and the windows, the wind outside is about 50kts +, it’s insane how strong the wind is blowing. Having a cup of coffee and discussing if it would be too strong to kite!!!
We decided to head down and to our amazement the wind was a perfect 20kts + again, so needless to say we all rigged up really quickly and headed out for yet another day of perfect Kitesurfing conditions.

Saturday was an awesome day for the guys learning, everyone did really well getting going on the board and the progression from the first ride to riding was really nice to see, well done guys.

Sunday was yet another great day at the dam; waking up to the wind howling down the valley was a really good sign for the day.
We decided to head down early bells and got a really nice early morning session it. As we got closer to mid morning the wind started to back off slightly, but by then we had decided to leave mid day and where really happy to have had three days of kiting in a row.

We will be posting the next Sterkfontein trip dates on the web site shortly.
For the full picture album >>click here

[Bruce Gaynham]

Glad you all had a great time! The conditions sound like it was perfect and I'm looking forward to another trip there. I'm freezing my nuts off in Kyrgyzstan at the moment. Going to head into the mountains on the weekend so looking forward to that - hope it snows a bit so I can get a ski in.

[Jean Nelson]

I was there ;) thanks Sin for all the help... at last i`m on the board ps the new ion4 rocks... love it see you on the next trip ;)..i`ll post the video clips on the weekend..