Sailed from Langebaan to Saldanha, the 17km reaching course is one of the few events where windsurfers and kitesurfers go head to head. The 2006 event attracted over 100 participants, with about a 50/50 split between the windsurfers and the kitesurfers.

Big name entries amongst Kite and windsurfers in the past include Aaron Hadlow (PKRA World Champion), Matthew Swart (6 times winner), Peter Lumley (South African National Champ), Patrick Diethelm (F2 Professional Windsurfer Team), Hennie Bredenkamp (Current African Windsurfing Speed Champion), Werner Gniegler ( Master designer for JP boards), Maaike Kallenboren (Current All Comers - African Woman's Windsurfing Speed Champion), Olaf Marting (World Speed Kite Record Holder) and Craig Gertenbach (Fanatic Boards).

The fastest time for the Kitesurfing race was done by Peter Slate in 1999 who screamed down the course in 18 minutes. 2005 saw winner Patrick Diethelm contend on a F2 board, completing the course in 21 minutes, 18 seconds. This represents an average speed of around 48km/h with their boards and kites.

Entries are accepted on the beach in front of the parking area to the North of the smarty houses from midday. The entry fee is R50 per participant. The race sets off at 15h00, weather and wind permitting.

Should conditions be such that racing on Saturday is not possible, the race will be run as soon as the wind is suitable for kite surfing and wind surfing on the following day.

If the dash is run, slalom or a long distance race will be held from Hobie beach at Club Mykonos on Sunday. Prize giving and a fish braai will be held at the Beach bar at Club Mykonos on Saturday evening.

Langebaan Downwind Dash
Where: Langebaan Lagoon
When: 13 Jan 2007
More Info: Contact Malcolm McGregor at 022 7141432 or 0823500884


Molo says: "Kite surfing and wind surfing fanatics can be found around Blouberg & Big Bay. Read more about extreme fun things to do in and around Cape Town or read more about the West Coast.

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