Melkbos

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Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing involves the Kitesurfer being pulled along the water by a large kite, while standing on top of a small surfboard.

Melkbos is popular amongst Kitesurfers. The wind at Melkbos is usually lighter at Melkbos than Big Bay. However, when the South-Easter blows, Melkbos can be very gusty.

The best place to kitesurf is in front of the windsurfing parking lot and work your way down towards the power station.

The best conditions at Melkbos is usually a strong South-westerly or a strong North-Westerly wind.

NSRI

Over the past few years, the NSRI has become inundated with calls to help kitesurfers along the western shore of Cape Town, particularly between Milnerton and Melkbosstrand, and in most cases these have been unnecessary.

The NSRI has estimated that only 1 in 10 callouts for kitesurfers turns out to be an emergency, with the kitesurfers swimming ashore or moving on (e.g. once the wind picks up). Kitesurfers sometimes have to wait hours in the water for the wind to pick up, but members of the public became worried and call the NSRI.

While the NSRI does not wish to discourage anyone from calling as it is keen to help and has adequate resources, it requests the cooperation of the kitesurfing community to avert prolonged and unnecessary searches.

Kitesurfers should contact the NSRI on 021-449-3500 if they have experienced difficulty at sea but have reached shore safely before the NSRI arrives and/or if they have dumped their kite at sea.

If the kitesurfer gave a description of the dumped kite's colours, it would help the NSRI determine if it needed to respond or whether its volunteers could return to work or go home to their families.

Those reporting kitesurfers in distress should leave a contact number and keep the kitesurfer in sight until the NSRI arrived.

Kitesurfers are encouraged to carry red distress flares and to wear life-jackets.