In a matter of two days I went from my lovely warm home in the tropical Turks and Caicos Islands, where I rarely get the chance to use a nine meter kite and never even contemplate wearing a wetsuit, to a much cooler and windier Cape Town, South Africa. Traveling with the World Class Kiteboarding Academy, I had a perfect setup for the new and exciting conditions of Cape Town: NP Mission Front Zip 3/2 full suit and a seven meter Cabrinha FX. On some days it was so windy that I even got to ride a five meter Cabrinha Switchblade, a far cry from my usual 13 meter Cabrinha Chaos!
Photo: Rutger Bogard
After stepping down onto the beach on the first day, my legs were attacked by the blasting sand so I immediately pulled on my wetsuit for protection. After what seemed to be the quickest set up ever, I was out on the water. Contrasting the flat, lightwind and warm waters of home, the waves were huge, the wind was powerful and the water was cold; the water was very cold. After getting comfortable out in the big waves, I began to push my limits and started using them as kickers for my unhooked tricks. My first attempt ended up with me plunging head first into what felt like the Arctic Ocean. Immediately, everything exposed to the bitter cold went numb. I went in to the beach to warm up, but the swell was calling me, and before I knew it, I was back out on the water boosting and shredding in the waves.
Photo: Lindsay McClure
In the following weeks, just when I had grown accustomed to Cape Town’s frigid water and strong winds, we drove north to Langebaan and stayed at Windchasers Communal KiteHouse, who’s owners, Dimitri and Michelle, were nothing short of helpful and welcoming. Shark Bay, Langebaan seemed very similar to the Caribbean: white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue waters. It even offered up a few sunset sessions which were absolutely magical.
Photo: Savannah Boersma
Overall, my experience in South Africa with the World Class Kiteboarding Academy was outstanding! The whole seven week trip seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. We got up to a few amazing things in South Africa: hiked Table Mountain, went to Robben Island, witnessed some insane kite loops at Red Bull King of the Air and also, completed a whole term of high school. If I had the opportunity to do it again, I would be on that flight in a heartbeat.
Photo: Rutger Bogard
Kit Griffiths, is a 17-year-old kiteboarder from the Turks and Caicos Islands. He’s sponsored by Cabrinha Kites, NP Surf, Big Blue Unlimited and Blue Surf Shop. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with his travels.