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Spot Guides
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Vaal Dam (125 km from central Johannesburg)
General
This is the best windsurfing venue, close to Johannesburg. The prevailing north-westerly winds are unobstructed by buildings, trees, hills or the like. This is not a spot for beginners if the wind gets up as the dam is big and has long fetches for the wind to pick the chop up.
If the wind is light, beginners have nothing to fear for, except for the violent thunderstorms in the summer months. They are quite unpredictable and are often accompanied by hail, for which monofilm sails are no match.
For the more proficient sailor, this dam produces some challenging conditions in a big blow. If sailing from Pink Flats in a strong north-easterly the 'chop' can become more like surf, rolling in with swells in excess of 2m (trough to crest).
Winter, spring and early summer produce the best winds here but be warned, the water is frigid at this time of year. In a cold front one does not venture out here without a full suit, booties and hood. A pair of dishwashing gloves can keep the chill off one's hands too.
Where to sail
Stilbaai
Good in the north, through west to south winds. Even sailable in south-east winds.
Be careful of a tree stump in the water just in front of the launch
area. It is just below the surface when the water level is about 90%.
There is normally a white danger buoy to mark the spot. So don’t use it
as a gybe mark.
There are camping and ablution facilities. Entry costs – R30 per day,
per person for non-members or R15 per day, per person if visiting a member.
Pink Flats
This is the day visitors area in Deneysville on the opposite side of the
dam to Stilbaai. It is good in the north, through east, to south winds
and the north-east wind picks up a huge swell if it is strong.
Launch more to the right of the ‘beach’ as there are rocks and tree
stumps closer to the tree line on the left.
Directions:
From Johannesburg to Stilbaai
Take the R59 to Vereeniging
Take the second off-ramp into Meyerton, it is the Johan Le Roux
off-ramp, and bare left from the off-ramp
Carry on straight for a distance of 2 km, through 3, 4-way stop streets
and at the T-junction, turn right
1.6 km further on is another 4-way stop, turn left
Carry on with this road for another 6 km until you reach a stop street,
turn right
1.8 km is another stop street, continue straight for another 4.7 km
until you reach a T-junction with the R54 to Villiers. Turn left
Another 15 km down this road, you will reach an intersection at the very
northern point of the dam. You can turn right here to get to Deneysville
(13 km further on) but otherwise, carry on straight and Stilbaai is
signposted down the road, about another 4km on the right.
From Johannesburg to Deneysville (Pink Flats)
You can follow the directions above or else:
Take the R59 to Vereeniging
Carry on for about another 23km after the Meyerton / Johan Le Roux off-ramp
Immediately after the highway crosses the Vaal River, take the R716
off-ramp to Deneysville
Bare left at the off-ramp and another 2.5 km further on is a T-junction,
turn right
0.7 km further on, is the R716 to Deneysville, turn left
Deneysville is another 24 km further on
In Deneysville, continue straight for another 2km and on the left is a
sign for the NSRI. This is Island St, turn left.
Continue to the end of the street (1km) and at the T-junction with the
dirt road, turn right.
Pink Flats is immediately on the left
Prevailing Wind Conditions
Predominately NW to W. This direction usually starts mid morning in a Northerly direction and strengthens towards mid day switching towards NW/W; it blows straight offshore, so beginners beware.
Easterly wind at this dam is usually very constant in strength, and can reach gale force. Accompanying this direction is a sharp fall in temperature. Owing to the long fetch, you can find large swells in this direction.
All other directions of wind at this dam tend to be erratic and short lived.
Southerly wind is usually bitterly cold; it can get strong, but keeping warm will be a challenge.
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