Umdloti Wind Report

WindGuru Forecast for Umdloti

Durban: WindNet

The Zulu named Umdloti Beach area stretches over a distance of some 5 kilometers; with the small town in the South and the suburb of La Mercy to the North on banks of the Umdloti River and Estuary. 

The “Town Beach” boasts two small point breaks, one on either end of the bay suited to the two different prevailing wind directions, with a long beach break in-between for easy kitesurfing.  This stretch has convenient parking, public facilities, good restaurants and accommodation.  The southern point is one of the most frequented point breaks for surf kiters in the Durban area and on a good day this point will deliver some beautiful waves.  The northern point is also known to offer up some epic kiteboarding sessions.  The Umdloti town is partly built into a headland otherwise referred to by kitesurfers as “the Hill.”  This natural structure plays a role in the Southerly wind that blows over the Lagoon and across the beach.  Knowledge of this can be used to your advantage when kiting in the lagoon and ocean as the Hill causes a Venturi Effect which results in up to a 5 knot increase in wind strength as you get closer to it.  The Headland or Bluff also forces a more cross shore wind when out in the ocean and kiting in the proximity of the Hill.

A treacherous reef section separates the Town Beaches from the Lagoon Beaches.  This reef section also hosts one of the best natural tidal pools along the Kwazulu Natal Coastline, and is a favorite of local bathers.  As the reef section ends so the waves and some epic waveriding on and off the reef, to suit your level of expertise begins.  The beach on the far Northern end of the Lagoon known to some as “Twin Towers,” named after some notable landmarks visible from out in the ocean, offers a small but unique wave break which in the correct tidal and swell conditions can deliver amazing cross and at times cross off wave riding, in the otherwise onshore North Easterly.  It is one of the most underutilized and underrated wave spots in the closer Durban area.  The surrounding scattered reef seems to hold sand consistently in good position to deliver a long and at times hollow ride.

The La Mercy Lagoon itself is however the biggest draw card for kitesurfing in all of Umdloti and one of the very few safe, flat water locations for learning to kitesurf in Kwazulu Natal.  This venue is utilized by kiteboarding schools and is a hub of kitesurfing in KZN, with all the necessary public amenities including barbecue (braai) areas.  The Lagoon holds up well in both of the prevailing winds and together with the beach break directly opposite the sandbar, is the perfect place to progress into the ocean at one’s own pace.

Have you kitesurfed in this region? What do you think of Umdloti as a kitesurfing spot? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below.