Milnerton Aquatic Club

About

Club is open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset
Contact Number: +27 21 557 7090

Milnerton Aquatic Club, known as MAC (Rietvlei), Cape Town. Tourists will refer to it as “the lake”. This club hosts a variety of dinghy and windsurfing events during the summer months and there are days where one of the sailing disciplines will have exclusive use of the lake for competitions.

Summer, from November to early/mid March. It's possible to get SE in winter but often with rain and very fickle. The winter NW is a great option here with a bit of a “speed run” next to the weed bed on the northern end of the lake. It's the choice for many locals who may not have the time to drive to Witsand or Brandvlei for more wind or waves.

One can launch from the paved slipway facing the ocean side. Non-members must launch outside of the club area.

No drones allowed. No sailing access whatsoever to the southern lake. You may walk there on foot to observe birds from the bird hides.

Town and Activities

This location is close to a very wide variety of shopping, accommodation and entertainment establishments. There are also a wide variety of sports activities close by. Cape Town is a thriving city with plenty to offer.

Wind, Swell & Waves

Direction

The most common directions are SE (summer) and NW (winter) - both are sort of "side shore" from the launch. But all directions work. SW and W are also possible but generally lighter. Any NE is almost always very short lived and light.

Ranges

Wind in a summer SE is anything from 10 to 50 knots. On some days it will gust a touch higher. A "normal" SE session would be 22-35 knots. NW is similar, but less predictable and short lived depending on rain.

Forecasting Sites

WindGuru. Opinions range on which model is best. WRF 9 km for short range is not bad. GFS 13 km tends to under forecast and their own WG model is potentially the closest, if not a little under.

Hazards

Traffic

Other sailors. All kinds of skill levels use the vlei so be aware of those around and give them space. Watch for boats. They have to ride around the outer edges of the lake as marked by buoys and the southern edge is their domain. If the wind is light and a boat is around please do not sail in the area they are allowed to ski in. If it's windy and no boats are around it is considered acceptable to sail in that area as it's very flat, but be aware of a large island of weeds.

Grass & Weeds

Weeds, there are weed beds that crop up and for foiling this can lead to surprises. MAC is VERY actively attending to the grass and weed islands which is an immense effort by committed volunteers. They will eventually clear the vlei just be aware whilst out sailing.

Water

Temperature

Summer you can sail without a wetsuit, although often a shorty is nice to wear on some days - more because of strong wind/air temperature. A pure guess would be 20°C as we have not measured it, yet. Winter the water is cold, possibly 12°C, full wetsuit for sure. A 4mm is the general standard for windsurfing in Cape Town whether freshwater sailing or in the waves.

Water Level Fluctuations

The water level is higher in winter but the small fluctuation between seasons has no effect on sailing.

Jump Conditions

There can be "chop" in the stronger winds

Facilities

Ablution

Clean toilets and warm showers!

Storage

Racks within containers are available to rent on a per annum basis. MAC also has a small boat park.

MAC Kiosk and Bar

There is food and drink available. Times open, and what food is available varies.

Crowds

From late November to end of February it gets fairly crowded. More in the parking than on the water. Weekends are always busier as the locals are there.

Security

Access is controlled and monitored at MAC so there are no big security concerns. Always, be vigilent and leave valuables at home or out of sight.

Parking

Adequate

Parking at the clubhouse. If it's full, park outside - that area is still within the reserve.

Emergency Services

Medical

Emergency: 112 from any cell phone

Table Bay Port Control

+27 21 449 3500

SAPS

SAPS: +27 21 528 3800

NSRI

NSRI: +27 87 094 9774

Shops & Accommodation

Board Repairs & related Sports Shop

Boards: Cape Dr. (Cape Doctor)
Sails: Stefan +27 76 441 9799
Shops:
Suntrax
The Brand Stable
Watersports Warehouse

Restaurants

MAC does have a small light meal shop and supporting the club is the "right thing to do"! Outside of MAC there is a wide variety of options available, use your favourite search engine to find what suites you.

An Engen garage at the start of Pentz Drive as you turn off Blaauwberg Road. It's next to the police station. There is also a mall adjacent with many different options.

Accommodation

There are a number of guest houses and B&Bs available to you in the immediate vicinity.

Cape Oasis Guesthouse overlooks the vlei and is walking distance: