Sand-boarding in Swakopmund – The coastal town of Swakopmund is on Namibia’s northwest coast, about 280 kilometers (170 miles) from Windhoek, the capital city. Both locals and visitors enjoy Swakopmund for its relaxed holiday atmosphere and cooler weather.
It is no surprise that one of the most popular tourist activities in Swakopmund is sand-boarding, as the town is focused on tourism and surrounded on three sides by the red sand of the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world.
Visitors can be picked up at their hotel, guest house, backpacker hostel, or bed and breakfast in town and taken to and from the sand dunes by different companies. Walking up and down the dunes while sand-boarding is a good way to exercise, and it also gives you a chance to enjoy the area and the view.
There are two types of sand-boarding for visitors to try. If you feel a bit nervous, you can lie down on your board and go down headfirst, reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 miles per hour). This ride is safe, easy, and needs no experience, making it a great choice for families with children of all ages.
In the past, sand-boarding boards were just simple wooden boards that you held onto while sliding down. Over time, they have changed, and now visitors are given specially made, oiled boards that slide more easily on the smooth sand.
In the second style of sand-boarding, you use a snowboard and stand on it like you’re surfing, riding down the slope. This is similar to snowboarding. Because sand gives less resistance than snow, you can go very fast depending on the steepness of the slope.
You can try standing or lying down on different slopes, and as you gain confidence and improve your skills, you can move on to steeper and faster slopes. Sand-boarding is a fun and exciting way to spend a morning while visiting Namibia.
