Haakgat, Cape Town - Sunday 22.12.13

Haakgat is a waveriding spot, about 7km north of Blouberg. There is a rock shelf and a kelp forest that clings to the rocks that forms a good left hand break. The wave is favored by windsurfers and kiters alike. When the wind exceeds 25 knots the windsurfers are in the majority. The prevailing south easterly wind is slightly off shore at this spot which is good for cleaning the wave face but adds a bit of risk should you drop a kite.The windsurfers sometimes struggle out through the white water as once brought down in the breaking zone, to take off and get momentum between walls of white water takes skill. Those kiters with more skill can hoist themselves over the breaks.

On this day the swells were 3.2m deep sea with a 14 second wave period. This resulted in sets of between 5 and 6 foot, with 10 to 12 foot wave faces.

 ( Should you want to scroll the images in a large scale, click on an image and open it. A series of miniatures should show beneath the image which you can scroll through.)

 

Between the peaks

Whitewater can get intimidating

On a wall

The wave can run for up to 100m or more to the left.

First photo of a windsurfer on this site, but I figured they actually deserve a feature, as the skill involved is substantial and they have what it takes - STOKE.

In the car park - "Hey mom that's my dummy "

Doodles - Good surf and the Jetskier

April 26th. Autumn day in Cape Town. The swell was running from the south west at a 17 second wave period. Quiet day - no wind. Was passing doodles in Blouberg looking for a good surf break. Doodles was glassy and the waves were building into beautiful 4-6 metre high walls with the long wave period allowing them to develop power. There were quite a few surfers out and there was a vibe there as others watched and more readied themselves to go in. Cars were stopping and soon the car park was full. Stoke was in the air.

 

 The guys were doing the average surfing stuff. Someone leaped a few metres at the end of his ride. After kite season it all seemed a bit sedentary however.

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 Then I spotted this guy about to launch his jetski. Did'nt think much of it, as I am not really a fan of mixing jetskis with surfing unless it is for towing in or rescue / safety. Have had them buzzing around whilst out in the waves and it can be quite annoying especially if there are a few. They are like a swarm of bees and mess up the breaks.

 However one launch off a wave and this guy had my attention.

 Up and over he goes.

 Takes his one leg off the ski and his one hand off the bars whilst doing a somersault.

 As I said not really a fan of engine power in the wave zone but this jetskier had refined his moves to an art, and I have time for that. Whoohoo !!!

Seeing I am told in a comment that this guy is Jake Montadon ( thank you for that ) - one of the top freeride jet skiers in the world I have added a few bonus pics.