For the Adrenaline Junky
Is relaxing on the beach or drifting along the river too mundane for you? No worries, if it's excitement you're craving, there are plenty of thrills to be had in the Garden Route. Here's a short list to get the blood pumping.
Surfing
The Garden Route has produced a handful of surfers who have made it on the pro tour. Why shouldn't you be the next? Like anywhere, it's much busier during the holiday season, but there are plenty of places to check out. Just beware of the great whites which are present along the entire coast... Still raring to go? Here are a few handy links:
Wavescape - write-up on where to surf in the Garden Route
Wannasurf - they break the area down into "Garden Route" and "Cape South Coast" check out the "Additional Map" sections tab and their geotags on google map
magicseaweed - forecasts and photos of some top spots
If you're not quite ready to go out on your own yet, then why not take a lesson or two? Waves Surf School, headed up SA Junior Surfing Team Head Coach, Llew Whittaker (who is now back home after being on the international pro circuit), or the guys at Billeon, who also offer sandboarding trips, are both located in Mossel Bay and will get you upon a board in no time. Helpful hint: start doing those push-ups to get in shape before you get here!
Wavescape - write-up on where to surf in the Garden Route
Wannasurf - they break the area down into "Garden Route" and "Cape South Coast" check out the "Additional Map" sections tab and their geotags on google map
magicseaweed - forecasts and photos of some top spots
If you're not quite ready to go out on your own yet, then why not take a lesson or two? Waves Surf School, headed up SA Junior Surfing Team Head Coach, Llew Whittaker (who is now back home after being on the international pro circuit), or the guys at Billeon, who also offer sandboarding trips, are both located in Mossel Bay and will get you upon a board in no time. Helpful hint: start doing those push-ups to get in shape before you get here!
Shark Cage Diving
It kind of seems logical to post about Shark Cage Diving immediately after the Surfing entry above, doesn't it? It is pretty controversial in some quarters, but if that's your thing, then White Shark Africa in Mossel Bay offer trips.
Kitesurfing
Sometimes you'll see a beginner trying their hand at kitesurfing in the shallows of the Great Brak River or working on their kite-handling skills on the beach, but most of the kitesurfing action is found in Sedgefield just down the road a bit on the N2.
If you need some local advice or lessons you might contact the folks at the PiliPili Extreme Sport Centre or check out the Southern Cape Kiteboarding website (click on the dots on the map at the bottom for brief summaries of some of the best kitesurfing spots on the coast)
If you need some local advice or lessons you might contact the folks at the PiliPili Extreme Sport Centre or check out the Southern Cape Kiteboarding website (click on the dots on the map at the bottom for brief summaries of some of the best kitesurfing spots on the coast)
Paragliding
If you've ever driven along the N2 between George and Knysna, you've probably seen them floating overhead. Wilderness, Sedgefield and Brenton-on-Sea really are a mecca of sorts when it comes to paragliding in South Africa. Launching sites can be found here (zoom in on the map) or check out the list, photos and descriptions on Cloudbase Paragliding's site. Jan Minnaar & Khobi Bowden offer lessons as well as tandem flights for those that want to give it a try. Highly recommended!
Still not sure - or perhaps you are more of a watcher than a do-er? No worries - take a drive up to Map of Africa above Wilderness and watch the guys & gals take off and land on the beach below.
Still not sure - or perhaps you are more of a watcher than a do-er? No worries - take a drive up to Map of Africa above Wilderness and watch the guys & gals take off and land on the beach below.
Helicopter Flips
If you are looking for something completely different, then try a helicopter flip with Kobus Crous who owns Mossel Bay Helicopters and Bergsig Game Farm. There's nothing quite as exhilarating as skimming just above the water, and of course, you get a completely different vista of the coast. Rest assured that you are in good hands with Kobus (these "flips" as they're called, are just a very small part of his professional flying business).