Blog | 2016 Gin SA Nationals (Western Cape Open)

Blog
Summary
Details
Pilots
Results
Registration

98 Pilots Confirmed
98 Pilots total registered

Go to Pilot List

120 Pilots max allowed
19 Countries presented
✅ All certified wings allowed
🏆 FAI Status = CAT 2 🏅

left before start of event

Prize funds and scoring categories

Teams
Ladies
Novice (EN-B)
Intermediate (EN-B)
Sport (EN-C)
Performance (EN-D)
Overall (CCC)

Contacts

Organiser
- Eugene Claase
- +27799357770
- eugeneclaase@gmail.com
Public Relations & Communication
- Ian Cowie
- +27741775502
- iancowiesa@gmail.com

Event info

The Western Cape Open is a CAT2 ratified competition in the famous paragliding town of Porterville, in the Western Cape, South Africa. Only 1 and a half hours drive from Cape Town, this years competition will also be the South African Nationals.
The competition will take place from the 2013 PWC site, Pampoenfontein/Leuwenkop, recently revamped. If you are situated in the northern hemisphere, this is the perfect break away paragliding holiday to avoid the winter blues.

Flying site

Porterville located in the South West of South Africa, in about 90 km from the Atlantic ocean, and 120 km North East of Cape Town. It offers a nice mixture of thermal and dynamic flying, offering big distance flights possible on the ridge and in the flats.
The town itself is situated in the vast Swartland valley stretching West, South and North. On the East it is bordered by the Winterhoek Mountain chain, that serves the natual barrier form Atlantic winds passing into the center of the country, known as the Karoo.
Pampoenfontein is the most commonly used take off site in and around Porterville.
It is the safer take off in anything south of west.
It is higher and faces more directly into the prevailing thermic cross-wind.
The latest record was beaten by Josh Degenaar in 2023
https://www.xcontest.org/2023/world/en/flights/detail:Josh/9.2.2023/08:40

Take off Leuwenkop (also known as Pampoenfontein) - S32º55.616’ E19º02.235’, 800m (ASL).
Winds: W - SSW, thermic SE days.
Take off is a netted area in the fynbos. Top landing is possible.
Landing: Field in front of Take Off.
Cautions:
- It can be more cross and stronger than it seems on take-off.
- In summer, experienced guidance is highly recommended.
- It is not a beginner site.
Directions:
- Drive North out of town.
- Turn right onto the dirt road sign posted "Dasklip Pass" after about 5km.
- Drive up the pass and around the back.
- After 5km take the track to the right.
- Park in the clearing and walk to take off.

Info source: http://www.flyporterville.info/
Also you can find some useful flying tips here. and in XCmag guide.

Selection and entry fee

Entry Fee:
Before 01 November 2016 - ZAR 2000-00 (approx 135 Euro, $150)
After 01 November 2016 - ZAR 2500-00 (approx 165 Euro, $185)

A Minimum of 30 places will be allocated to international pilots (until 26 November 2016)

Entry Fee Banking Details
Bank Name: Nedbank, Wellington
Account Name: Kaapse Buitepos Klub
Account Number: 1053434731
Branch Code/clearing code: 19876500
Swift Code: NEDSZAJJ
IBAN/BIC: South Africa does not use this. Combine Account number and Swift code (1053434731NEDSZAJJ)
Address: 21 Jan Van Riebeeck St, Wellington, 7654, South Africa
Payment Reference: SAHPA/FAI Number & Surname
Foreign Payments: Email us (eugeneclaase@gmail.com)

Paypal account for international payments:
eugeneclaase@gmail.com

Pilot Requirements:
Valid FAI Sporting License
Valid SAHPA License
Medical Insurance

Equipment Requirements:
Glider Classification: EN, CCC
Harness with back protection
Helmet
Reserve
GPS
2m Radio
Airtribune application installed on smart-phone for Live tracking. (or GPS with livetracking)
WhatsApp application installed on smart-phone for competition communication.

Included:
Transportation to Take-Off
Recovery
Map with waypoints
Live Tracking (Limited)
Paramedics
Function/ Party

Cancellation Policy:
80% refund if cancelled 1 month or more before the start of the competition (11 November)
50% refund if cancelled 14 days or more before the start of the competition (27 November)
No Refund after this date.

Prize fund and scoring categories

Overall - CCC
Performance - EN-D
Sport - EN-C
Intermediate - EN-B
Novice - EN-B (One year of CAT2 comp flying and license held for less than 2 years)
Ladies
Teams
Pilots must choose their class to compete in before the start of the comp. All pilots will only be ranked overall and in the class they entered. (ie. can't win multiple classes)

General schedule

Saturday, Dec 10, 2016
09:00 - Practice day
16:00 - 19:00 - Registration
19:00 - Competition Briefing
Venue: Flyer's Lodge

Sunday, Dec 11, 2016
07:00 - 08:00 - Registration
Venue: Flyer's Lodge

Saturday, Dec 17, 2016
18:00 - Scoring Closes
19:00 - Closing Ceremony/Prize Giving
Venue: Rendezvous

Daily schedule

08:00 - Transport leaves the meet centre for take-off.
10:00 - Task briefing
11:00 - Window opens
12:00 - Race starts
16:00 - Land by time/Scoring Opens
19:00 - Scoring closes
21:00 - Provisional Results

Accommodation and Activities

In Town
De Herberg Guest House: +27 (0)22 931 3187
Flyers' Lodge: +27 (0)22 931 3416
Home World B&B & Self Catering: +27 (0)83 564 3018
Isabella's Self Catering: +27 (0)82 564 4749
Melanie's Home Stay: +27 (0)82 790 6079
Mountain View Guest House: +27 (0)22 931 2626
The Palms: +27 (0)22 931 2282
Porterville Hotel: +27 (0)22 931 2178
Rendezvous Guest House: +27 (0)22 931 3484
Talani : +27 (0)82 921 8316
Twin Trees Guest House: +27 (0)82 304 6868
Villa Cho-Co-Latt: +27 (0)22 931 3877
Welkom Self Catering Unit: +27 (0)83 236 6246

Out of Town
Laatson & Waterval Camping & Chalets: +27 (0)22 931 2339
Mooi Berg Plaas: (0)83 542 7700
Peace of Africa: +27 (0)22 931 2181
Voorberg Self-Catering Guest House: +27 (0)22 931 8133

On the Mountain
Beaverlac Camping & Cottages: +27 (0)22 931 2945
Berghoff Fynbos Farm Chalets: +27 (0)83 954 5276
Cedar Peak Cottages: +27 (0)21 438 7702
Coen's House & Heidedal Homestead: +27 (0)83 630 8217
Groot Winterhoek Mountain Conservancy: +27 (0)21 483 0190
Pampoenfontein Farm Cottages: +27 (0)21 689 7792
Tygerkloof Cottage - Groot Winterhoek: +27 (0)83 946 6050

How to get here

Porterville is located 120 km North from Cape Town, South Africa.

Porterville, Porterville, 6810, South Africa
Porterville South Africa

Plane

The nearest is Cape Town International airport.
Web: http://www.capetown-airport.com/
Form there you can take a car or hire a taxi to get to Porterville.

Car

As you exit the Airport Oval, continue onto Airport Approach Road towards the N2, Settlers Way.
After 1.8km, merge onto Settlers Way South towards Somerset West.
After 4.0 km, take exit 22A to merge onto R300 North, toward Bellville.
After 16 km, exit right to merge onto N1 East, toward Paarl, Worcester.
Drive for 21 km, and take exit 47 onto R44 toward Wellington, Stellenbosch
Turn left onto Adam Tas Street / R44 (North) toward Wellington.
After 23 km, turn left onto Stokery Road (R44) toward Wellington, Porterville.
After 41 km, turn left onto R44 toward Gouda, Porterville
After 35 km, you have reached the town of Porterville.