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IIn South Africa, sandboarding is a fairly recent development, but it's caught on fast, because there's certainly no shortage of sand. South Africa boasts some of the world's highest beach dunes, and away from the beach, sandboarders have found a great alternative: old gold mine dumps.
An hour of sandboarding (also known as dune boarding) in South Africa is probably the work-out equivalent of 3 hours in the gym. Somehow, ascending the dune and then whooshing down the slope on a pliant piece of wood takes a lot of stamina – but it's loads of fun too!
The sport was first recorded locally in the mid-1970s in Namibia. Along our 3 000km-long coastline there are thousands of suitable dunes to ride down, with the sands around Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula being favoured spots.
Beginners aged 11 and older are eligible for instruction sessions from an expert guide, and pretty soon you'll be kitted up on a sandboard and flying down the dunes.
But what if I wipe out? Valid question. There's no need to worry as the sand is soft and forgiving. In fact, the hardest part of South African sandboarding is the climb up the side of the dune, but it's also wonderful exercise.
Adventure tour companies specialising in sandboarding in South Africa advise you to bring a camera to record the inevitable antics, lots of sunscreen and a sense of humour. Some of the more enterprising companies turn it into a fun day, complete with children's sandboarding and picnics. This is a fun sport that will satisfy most peoples' need for speed.
Up in Gauteng, there are not many natural sand dunes. However, there are gold mine dumps, and lots of them. At the mine site of New Modder in Benoni on the East Rand is a dump called Mount Mayhem. Here, boarders use boards, boots and goggles, and they whoop it up down the slopes.
'It's like falling on clouds,' someone was quoted as saying as he dusted himself off and prepared for another ascent and rapid descent.
Did You Know?
TTravel tips & planning info
Who to contact
Downhill Adventures
Tel: +27 (0)21 422 0388
E-mail: info@downhilladventures.com
Pure Rush Industries (Gauteng rap jumping events)
Tel: +27 (0)82 605 1150
Email: marco@purerush.co.za
Best time to visit
Summer temperatures make the sand hot and conditions unpleasant, unless you make an early start. The Cape is prone to winter rain and KwaZulu-Natal to summer rain, so visit outside of the wet seasons.
Around the area
Three-hour lessons are provided at the dunes of Lost City in a nature reserve at Atlantis, 45 minutes' drive from Cape Town. Betty's Bay has a venue called Silver Sands, a hour up the east coast,
Tours to do
Downhill Adventures are sand boarding professionals who use fully imported modified snowboards, boots and bindings. They offer combos with surfing, quad biking and skydiving.
Get around
In most regions vehicles are not permitted on the beach, so riders gather and walk to their chosen location.
What will it cost
Sandboard hire starts from around R250, with full day expeditions offered from around R700 (including lunch).
Length of stay
You can spend half an hour to half a day indulging in this exciting sport, depending on your fitness level and ability.
What to pack
Use lots of sun cream, especially on your face, but expect the sand to stick to you during the learning phase of this sport, which comes with thrills and spills. A good peak cap is also a good idea for the glare.
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