Known as one of the windiest and most challenging kite spots in the world, Cape Town has an irresistible allure. So, when Johanna-Catharina Edin needed a break from the pressures of the competition scene, South Africa's sandy shores were calling! Did she find the answers she was looking for on her trip? Find out!

My first foray into kitesurfing in Cape Town was when I was 19 years old. I used to work in a surf shop back home in Sweden with some of my friends, and, over winter, we all went to South Africa together to explore a new kite spot!

Cape Town is well known for its strong wind and tough conditions, and I remember my friends warning me that it's one of the most challenging places in the world to kitesurf. I've always liked a challenge, though, so I went on the trip without fear.

Of course, my first time out at Scarborough, I had a kitemare. I fell on a wave and dropped the kite in the water, ending up on the rocks downwind. If you've been to the spot, you know exactly where I'm talking about! My lines were a tangled mess, and I got caught up in them, leaving burn marks around my leg. I didn't realise until afterwards how badly it could have gone. But, I learned a lot from that moment, and now I am always extra conscious of my gear and lines, checking them twice every time. It's better to be safe than sorry!

It's a challenge; the conditions are very different from what I am used to at home in Sweden. Still, most sessions were incredible. My best memory of kiting in Cape Town was when I saw a massive whale while kiting. A few of them seemed to be coming downwind with us. It was an unforgettable experience!

Over time I've gained more and more confidence in the challenging wave conditions in Cape Town. With good tips from friends and kiters with more experience, I have progressed and pushed my level even further, feeling much more comfortable out in these extreme conditions and more able to handle tough waves in other spots.

I had just finished a wave competition in Morocco in November of 2021, placing 3rd at that event and 3rd overall on the GKA Kitesurf World Tour. But, something had been building up throughout the year - a sense of frustration. I felt stuck in many ways; my riding wasn't improving, and I felt like I didn't learn anything new from competing. After finishing on the podium, it was time to step away from competition, and I knew Cape Town was the right place for it. 

There are many good kite spots worldwide, but many places tend to be plain or boring if there is no wind. Cape Town has so much besides kiting to offer. There are amazing surf spots, great golf courses, delicious food, gorgeous nature, and vibrant city life. I've recently started mountain biking, and Cape Town has some of the world's best MTB tracks. With so much to offer on the water and off, I've been coming back year after year, and I'm still not bored! 

These days, I usually combine my stay with shooting for sponsors and training for upcoming competitions. This year, I headed to Cape Town to do some shooting with FLYSURFER and ION.

Many talented photographers are based in Cape Town or visit during the season. Samuel Tomé is a local photographer who took some great shots of me during a session at his local spot, somewhere in the wild Western Cape. He knows this tricky spot inside out and always manages to capture the best shots.

This year, FLYSURFER had Andy Troy on the team for their product shoot, and I hired him to take some photos for some of my other upcoming projects and the wave clinics I put on while in Cape Town. Jens Hogenkamp also managed to snap a few cool shots during our FLYSURFER shoot, capturing some behind the scenes perspectives. They turned out super well, but I never got a chance to meet him! It's been a lot of fun mixing it up and working with different photographers this season.

Shooting and riding for yourself can be very different. If you shoot from the water, there is a lot to think about to get the shot. You have to line up in front of the photographer, which can be very hard as you want to hit the section where the wave is breaking, right in front of the camera! Of course, getting a sharp shot without water on the lens is another challenge that I leave in the hands of the professionals!

Nailing the timing between the best light and best riding conditions is always tricky, especially if you're looking for a backdrop other than the classic Table Mountain at sunset. We had a tight shooting schedule, so we were shooting from early morning until late evening. We spent a lot of time driving around to different spots, sometimes riding in really rough conditions. On a shoot, you've got to take what you can get if the wind is there.

You can get so caught up in the shoot or the competition that you forget to actually enjoy the session. The outcome becomes the sole focus, and progression goes out the window. On this trip, however, with a different mindset, I found that I was kiting even more than usual and getting so much more enjoyment out of each session. Not only that, but my skills were improving too, even though I wasn't focused on training!

Over the years, input from talented kiters like Jalou Langeree, Matchu Lopes, and Luke McGillewie has really helped me to improve. I've watched many videos and often ride with a GoPro in my lines so that I can review the footage with other kiters, which has helped me so much. 

Because I've learned so much with the help of others, I have discovered a real passion for coaching. So, when I decided to extend my stay until the end of February, it seemed like a perfect time to host a clinic. The response was overwhelming, and I hosted two weekend-long wave clinics for women. My passion is to help other female riders; I think there is a special connection and understanding between women on the water! 

We all want to enjoy that feeling of flow and confidence out on the water. Often, you just need to get the right tips to take your kiting that step further. Never be afraid to seek out input or get some coaching if you feel stuck or want to improve your skills! I believe Cape Town is a perfect place for women to progress their level, finding more comfort and confidence in the waves. 

After these clinics, I felt recharged and like I could see the sport from a new perspective. I feel like I'm finding more flow by sharing my knowledge and experience with others. It feels like a win when I see women progress, achieve and come up with a smile after the session. I still want to achieve so many things within the kiteboarding industry, and now I feel I have the freedom to go and do those things. 

Cape Town is an essential place for the industry and my growth as an individual and a kiter. Every season has been similar yet different in so many ways. There is a unique rhythm and flow in this spot, and I'm already planning my next Cape Town season! 

In the meantime, I'm enjoying my new home base in the UK and planning my next kite clinic with Jalou Langeree in Fuerteventura. See you on the water soon!

 

By Johanna-Catharina Edin

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