The wind is something the Cape has to offer, and in great quantities! So what to do? Windsurf, kitesurf, hangliding, paraglide or of course : RC Slopesoaring!! The predominant winds are the Cape-Doctor and the North-wester. For the uninformed, the Cape Docter is a South-easterly wind which can blow the living daylights out of anything on a bad day!

One of the most popular slopes in Cape Town is Signal Hill. This is a slope for N, NW and W and SW winds. The NW and N are received directly off the sea which makes for nice clean air. However, it can be quite bumpy when the moisture level is very high. The saddle between Lions Head and Signal Hill is for the SW, W and NW winds and the slope on top of Signal Hill is used in the N wind.

Another site used for the SE wind is called Rondebossieberg, and is located just outside of Durbanville. This site has been closed to RC pilots until recently, as it is one of the best sites for the Hang and Paragliding guys. A lovely slope to fly but no bushes and hard ground forces delecate landings to not cause damage.

Probably the most versatile and exiting slope in the Western Cape has got to be the slopes overlooking Hermanus. These slopes have sites for E, SE, SSE, S, SW and W wind conditions. Access to these sites are easily done by driving the Rotary way Scenic Drive road. S is flown at the cell phone towers, E at the power lines and SE at about three spots. There is a yearly get together called the Hermanus Slope Fly held at the end of November, which is getting bigger each year. 2002's event had 80+ pilots and 230+ planes registered. Have a look at Atlantic Flying Club's Hermanus 2002page.

The South African Weather Bureau web site is a good place to visit to find out what the wind is doing. The weather station is located at Cape Town International Airport.

There is a very good web site The R/C Soaring Guide which has plenty information about soaring, including plane reviews etc. Bear in mind that the radio frequencies used in this web site refers to the American frequencies. For the legal South African R/C aircraft frequencies here is a link to the Atlantic Flying Club's peg board.