|
Adventure sports in Swakopmund
Quadbiking
Quad-biking is undeniably a fun and exhilarating activity. While the combination of flying sand, fresh coastal air and the freedom of the Namib Desert provides a top desert experience, it is also true that quad-biking – or any 4X4 dune excursion for that matter – is extremely destructive to the environment if conducted in a careless and irresponsible manner. To guard against environmental damage, prospective quad-bikers are requested to go on the guided trips offered by reputable operators. Three areas have been designated for use by quad-bikes and off-road vehicles in the dunes between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Routes have been demarcated in the dunes immediately south of the Swakop River bridge in the vicinity of Long Beach and north of Walvis Bay. Private owners of quad-bikes are urged to stick to these areas. The fenced coastal strip immediately to the north of Long Beach is an important breeding area of the endangered Damara tern and is, hence, out of bounds. Quad-bike excursions are also offered by a company in Windhoek.
Skydiving
Skydive Sky diving has to be one of the most fun, safest and biggest adrenaline rushes that any adventure activity can offer. And Swakopmund is THE place to do it. After a scenic flight to take you to 10,000 feet you drop out of the plane, the scenery viewed whilst floating peacefully under an inflated parachute is simply breath-taking.
Operatational since 1980, they carry on a long tradition of high quality skydiving, training and fun that has always been associated with the coast.
Tandem skydiving allows you to jump with as little as 15 minutes training. You will free fall for 30 seconds at 220 kph from 10,000 feet!!
Following, you will enjoy a 5 minute canopy ride down to tip-toe landing outside the clubhouse.
The static line course is the traditional method of learning to skydive. Your instructor will take you through 6 hours of ground school before your first static line jump from 3000 ft. As you progress and start to free fall you will learn all the skills that will enable you to become a safe and competent skydiver.
Skydive Swakopmund is open 365 days a year, weather depending.
The club offer full catering facilities in the clubhouse, covered and carpeted packing area, and fun and friendly atmosphere for both the skydiver and the non skydiver. Transfers to and from Swakopmund are included
Paragliding
The dunes south of Swakopmund provide among the safest locations in the world to learn the art of paragliding. Even Europeans who are used to mild berg wind conditions travel to Namibia to train in the harsher conditions of the interior. The dune belt between Swakop and Walvis Bay, especially the dunes overlooking Long Beach (Langstrand) are favourite spots. The fresh south-westerly winds offer ideal ‘lift’ and once air-borne there are spectacular views of the desert and the ocean. The Namib Paragliding School offers a half-day introductory course that includes at least two ground-skimming flights, a basic pilots' licence course and tandem flights. Paragliding enthusiasts occasionally undertake powered paragliding excursions along the coast.
Sandboarding
The Namib Desert is reputed to house some of the largest sand dunes on this planet and it's here you can can enjoy sandboarding, an environmentally friendly activity and the only place in Namibia where this activity is offered.
Come and conquer these constantly shifting and powerfully towering beauties by zooming down the sheer slip faces on a traditional Swakopmund sandboard or carve up the dune with style and skill on a snowboard adapted for sand.
There are six different slopes to ride where speeds up to 80 kilometres per hour can be reached which will no doubt give you an adrenaline buzz. There are 2 options for sandboarding - lie down and stand up
Lie Down Boarding: Catch your breath and gasp at the slope as you lie face down, dangling over the edge of a slipface, before being pushed off the edge and sent on your way down the carving, rolling, sandy slopes. Stand Up Boarding: Highly recommended for snowboarders, surfers, and even the inexperienced boarder
Top range equipment is offered and excellent instruction make this activity a must do for the determined adventurist.
A great activity for all the family. Sandboarding is generally operational in the mornings where you are picked up, tranferred to the sand dunes for your adventure and a tasty lunch is served at the end before you're dropped back at your accommodation.
Horse Riding
Just outside of Swakopmund you can enjoy horse riding with Okakambe Trails, they have well-trained horses for all levels of riders from beginners through to advanced. Rides will take you into the moon landscape and through the Swakop River Valley, rides are from 1 hours through to overnight trails
Fishing
A popular pastime along the coastline with locals and visitors alike. There are many species of fish in the region and fishing is best between October and April though you can fish all year round. There are several established operators in Swakopmund offering bottom and deep-sea fishing as well as fishing from the shore.
Scenic Flights
By far one of the most popular activities in Swakopmund is a scenic flight. Here you can enjoy a mulitiude of options of day trips to the north and the himba people, south to the dunes, or a shorter flight over the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, out to the coast to see shipwrecks - the Eduard Bohlen is the most famous now being 200m inland, then returning north witnessing old diamond mines and dunes falling into the ocean - a perfect way to see the incredible skeleton coast that is often unattainable by road. |