FISHHOEK BEACH: wonderful spot to try your kayak in a little wave. Paddle in and around the bay and along the Cat Walk on the southern side of the bay. Do not kayak in the corner when the shark net is in place.

SIMONSTOWN: Steeped in history the South African naval base of Simon’s Town is blessed with a beautiful natural environment. Paddling from Long Beach, a flat calm stretch of sand at the end of the railway line and the beginning of town. Paddle around the yachts and then head out past the naval harbour towards Cape Point. On the way you can stop at Seaforth beach for a break or swim. Here you can have lunch, buy a coffee or even an ice cream. Only a short way past Seaforth beach you will find Cape Town’s suburban penguin colony at Boulders beach. There are many small bays along this coast line to explore.

TABLE BAY: Kayaking from the slipway at Oceana Powerboat Club you can slip onto the Table Bay waters without any fear of waves. There is a launching fee and non-members may not park inside the venue. You do not need to go very far to encounter the local Heavyside dolphins and during season the Southern Right whales. The penguins from Robben Island are always near buy and if you are lucky you will spot a Sun fish too. From here you an paddle all the way around the Green Point light house, taking care not to get caught by the waves at the point, and along Sea Point as far as Camps Bay if you have the fitness. Most recreational paddlers stay in and around the Light House.

THREE ANCHOR BAY: The parking here is pretty busy but it is right next to a public slipway that goes down to the water and beach. There are pretty tidy ablutions here as well.
Launching from the beach one can go left towards Clifton beach or right towards the Green Point lighthouse. This section toward Clifton can often be quite bumpy as the waves push back off the rocks and promenade wall so being a little further off shore is a bit calmer. Most beginners will go towards the Lighthouse and around the corner. Beware not to cut the corner and get caught in a wave that breaks on the reef at the point.

BIG/SMALL BAY: Access to the beach is pretty straight forward with both having a public slipway to the beach. Small Bay usually has smaller waves then Big Bay. Kayakers can paddle out and around the rocks in the middle of the bay. Best paddling times are early in the morning before the South East wind picks up. Be mindful of other beach users especially when in the surf zone. A kayak tumbling towards the beach on a wave can be dangerous to others.

CLIFTON BEACH: A great safe beach to kayak from but getting the kayak to the beach down the narrow stairs is quite a challenge and for this reason not many kayakers don’t bother.

ZANDVLEI ESTUARY NATURE RESERVE: Situated in the southern peninsula with quick access from central Cape Town, Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve is a popular destination for recreational kayakers to bird watch and wind their way for a sightseeing cruise between the houses of Marina Da Gama.

LANGEBAAN LAGOON: Although a good hour’s drive from Cape Town it must be mentioned as a incredable venue for beginners to go kayaking. Spring and Autumn is the ideal time of the year when the winds are at their calmest and the lagoon is like a mirror. The rest of the year an early morning start is best before the winds have pick up.

Other place to kayak but that require a permit of a tour company

V&A WATERTFRONT CANALS: Paddle through the charming canals of the V&A Waterfront. Admire the cityscape, pass under bridges, and soak up the urban vibe

CENTURY CITY CANALS: Discover the hidden gem of Intaka Island in Century City. Navigate the wetlands, observe birdlife, and escape the hustle and bustle.

The post Where to Kayak in and around Cape Town appeared first on Brians.

One of the primary concerns for kayakers around the Cape Peninsula is the notorious Cape Doctor – a strong, persistent southeasterly wind that sweeps across the region, particularly during the summer months. The Cape Doctor can create challenging paddling conditions, with gusts reaching gale-force strength at times. Kayakers should closely monitor weather forecasts and wind conditions before heading out on the water. It is recommended to go kayaking early in the day as the Southeasterly is usually calmer than later in the day. On the False Bay side, the winds will generally blow you back to shore but on the Atlantic side be you could be blown out to sea.

In the winter months the prevailing wind, the Northwesterly, is in the opposite direction to that in summer. The winter winds also bring with it rougher and more challenging sea conditions so, on the Atlantic side although the winds blow you back on shore the sea conditions will be rough. On the False Bay side, the sea will be calmer close to the shore but be aware not to venture too far away or run the risk of getting blow offshore.

The Cape Peninsula is home to incredibly diverse marine life, including seals, dolphins, penguins, sunfish and even the occasional whale. While encountering marine wildlife can be a memorable experience, kayakers should always maintain a safe distance and avoid disturbing or harassing animals in their natural habitat.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable kayaking experience around the Cape Peninsula, kayakers should:

1. Check weather forecasts and wind conditions before heading out on the water.

2. Dress appropriately for the prevailing weather conditions, including wearing layers and a wetsuit if necessary. Always dress for the worst-case scenario! Don’t forget your sun protection.

3. Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and ensure that all safety equipment, including paddles, leashes  and kayaks, is in good working order.

4. Plan paddling routes that take into account wind direction, sea conditions.

5. Stay close to the shoreline and avoid paddling in open water areas with strong winds or rough seas.

6. Paddle with a buddy or in a group whenever possible, and communicate regularly to ensure everyone stays safe.

7. Respect marine wildlife and observe animals from a safe distance to avoid causing distress or harm.

8. Take your cell phone with you in a waterproof pouch and always make use of the NSRI free safety app, SafeTRX.

The post What to know before you go kayaking around Cape Town! appeared first on Brians.

SOT kayaks are characterised by their open cockpit design, where the paddler sits on a moulded seat atop the kayak’s deck rather than inside a closed cockpit. This design offers several advantages for beginners. Firstly, SOT kayaks are inherently more stable than sit-inside kayaks due to their wider hulls and flat bottoms. This stability provides beginners with a greater sense of confidence and reduces the likelihood of capsizing, making them ideal for learning the basics of paddling.

   Sit-on-top kayak

          Sit inside kayak

Additionally, SOT kayaks are easier to enter and exit, which is beneficial for beginners who may not yet be comfortable with the enclosed feeling of sitting inside a kayak cockpit. If the kayak does happen to capsize, there is no need for advanced skills like rolling the kayak to recover, as paddlers can simply climb back onto the kayak from the water. If you do not have the skills to roll the kayak you will have to push out of the cockpit and then the kayak will fill up with water and you are left in a potentially dangerous situation.

      Trying to roll a sit in side back upright

Furthermore, SOT kayaks are self-bailing, meaning any water that enters the cockpit drains out through scupper holes located on the kayak’s deck. This feature eliminates the need for bilge pumps and ensures that the kayak remains buoyant even if it takes on water, enhancing safety for beginners, especially in rougher conditions.

On the other hand, sit-inside kayaks or canoes feature a closed cockpit design, where the paddler sits inside the hull of the kayak or canoe with their legs enclosed. While sit-inside kayaks offer a more traditional paddling experience and provide better protection from the elements, they may not be as beginner-friendly as SOT kayaks. Some people experience the feeling of being trapped inside but a simple push with the legs usually lets one slip out of the kayak.

One of the main differences between sit-inside and SOT kayaks is the level of stability. Sit-inside kayaks often tend to have narrower hulls, which can make them less stable than SOT kayaks, particularly for beginners who are still developing their balance and paddling skills. However, some sit-inside kayaks are designed specifically for beginners with wider hulls, a lower seat position and increased stability.

Another consideration is the risk of entrapment in sit-inside kayaks, especially in the event of a capsize. Paddlers may become trapped inside the cockpit if they are unable to execute a wet exit, where they flip the kayak upside down and swim out from underneath. While proper training and practice can mitigate this risk, it is a factor that beginners should be aware of when choosing a kayak.

Despite these differences, both SOT and sit-inside kayaks have their own unique advantages and are suitable for beginners depending on their preferences and intended paddling environment. Ultimately, safety should always be the top priority, and beginners should choose a kayak that offers stability, manoeuvrability, and ease of use to ensure a safe and enjoyable paddling experience.

The post Sit-in-side or sit-on-top? appeared first on Brians.

The post Welcome to Brians Kayaks appeared first on Brians.