On the way back to Cape Town, we make another stop in Witsand. The wind is offline for a day. A German band dressed as Bavarians plays swing hits from the last 100 years in the Breede River Lodge. It would be horrible at home, but here and with lots of locals who constantly want to buy us something else alcoholic to try, it’s more than fun.
On the second day there is another wonderfully constant wind of a good 20 knots over the freestyle spot in the estuary. My back is cooperating again. The hangtime is good and the panorama in front of the sand dunes is gigantic. With up to ten kiters, the spot is quite crowded, but everyone is considerate – and rides very well. What’s more, the number reduces your chances of winning the top prize at the Hairoulette.
Witsand really is a dream spot. There are only two problems: the large standing area for the schools is on the other side of the river. There is no bridge. The three-minute crossing with the shuttle boat is far too expensive for us at ten euros per journey.
We were aware that there are very aggressive bull sharks in the Breede River. There has never been an attack on humans, although the Breede River and the Indian Ocean in front of it have one of the highest populations in the world. But they regularly eat the anglers’ catch from the line directly under the boats. A bit of research on the internet adds to the uncertainty.
Bull sharks follow the sardine shoals from Madagascar to the Cape of Good Hope – unfortunately, the sardines seem to follow the best wind season. The largest bull shark of all time, measuring 4.5 metres in length and weighing 600 kg, was caught in the Breede River – and released again. They like to stay close to the coast and in estuaries and usually attack directly from below, even in shallow water. they account for 75 of all 110 recorded fatal shark attacks worldwide.
If you’re not scared now: Information on courses and spots is available from kitesurfing instructor Claudi on Whatsapp / Mobile 49 175 858 9090 – or via Faceook.
Frank Woelky, born in 1973. Kitesurfer since 1998. Since 2006, I have been combining kitesurfing and web design on trips lasting several months off the beaten track.