Surfing
Surfing, photo courtesy Steve Crane
If you’ve always harboured a desire to master the art of surfing, a holiday in Cape Town is the ideal time to learn this most enjoyable sport. The city offers the most highly concentrated number of surf spots in South Africa. There are about 50 spots within an hour’s drive of the city, some of which are top-secret and only known to the serious surfing fraternity! The largest concentration of breaks lies on the west side of the Cape Peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. The others line the Indian Ocean coastline in the east.
Beginners are advised to visit Muizenberg and Big Bay, where conditions are optimal for learning to surf. For some inspiration you might like to call in at some of these beaches to watch the professionals at work: Llandudno, the Hoek, Hout Bay, Glen Beach, Dunes, Long Beach, Crayfish Factory, and Kalk Bay Reef, among others.
If you’ve decided that now is a perfect time to learn to surf, sign up with the oldest surf school in the country, Gary’s Surf School (www.garysurf.com), which was established in 1989 by Gary Kleynhans. Gary’s Surf School specialises in professional surfing tuition and coaching. The school is well known by locals and internationally renowned, with many tourists returning year after year to continue developing their surfing skills.
Gary’s Surf School is located on Beach Road in Muizenberg. The beach is known for its gentle, sloping white sands and consistent waves, making it a great spot to learn the art of surfing quickly and safely. Gary is personally involved in some of the lessons and many young up-and-coming surfers are products of his school.
With a solid reputation built on trust, service and results, Gary’s has become one of the most popular surf schools in South Africa. It is open seven days a week, from 08h15 to 17h50, except for December 25 and 26, and January 1.
In addition to surfing lessons, the school offers equipment rental, sand boarding and snorkelling excursions, and surfing trips to Eland’s Bay and Jeffrey’s Bay. Lessons are held daily at 09h00, 11h00 and 14h00. The class duration is two hours or until you’re up and riding. There are never more than two students per instructor, allowing for personalised tuition. Equipment used during the lesson can be used for the rest of the day.
The minimum age to attend surf classes is five years’ old. The oldest student to attend and master the challenge successfully was 65!
Booking is essential – at least a day in advance – and all students are required to bring their own costumes, towels and sunblock.
Learn to surf in just one lesson with South Africa’s top instructors at Learn 2 Surf (www.learn2surf.co.za). Ensure that you receive the best and safest introduction to surfing by choosing professional surfing instructors – who are also qualified lifeguards – accredited by Surfing South Africa.
Learn 2 Surf is based in Muizenberg, but has schools all over South Africa. Contact Learn to Surf to book your private or group surfing lesson at a beach near you. All equipment is provided and surfers of all ages are welcome.
Ocean Euphoria (ocean-phoria@mweb.co.za) is equally passionate about the surf scene in Cape Town. The company’s dedicated instructors are surfing professionals with many years’ experience. Surfing lessons take place at Muizenberg or Big Bay, where conditions are safe and ideal for beginners. Experienced guides and specialised learner surfboards provide beginners with all the help needed to ensure that they will be able to paddle out, stand up and ride a wave before the end of the day!
Cape Town Tourism has a list of accredited surf schools. Contact us on +27 (0)21 487 6800 or email info@capetown.travel to book your surfing lesson at no extra charge, or have a look at our registered tour operators offering surfing.
- Phone: +27 (0)21 487 6800
- Email: info@capetown.travel
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