Millers Run

The Millers Run is a downwind paddling route between Millers Point and Fish Hoek beach. Launch at the ramp of the Cape Boat and Ski Boat Club at Millers Point, paddle about 800m due east to Bakoven Rock, turn left and head towards Fish Hoek, leaving the Roman Rock lighthouse to your right. Simple! The distance to Fish Hoek from Bakoven Rock is about 11.75km. Local safety: Use the SafeTrx tracking app on your phone (watched by the local S&R organization, the NSRI).

• Fish Hoek Beach, Peter Creese Way, Fish Hoek, Western Cape, South Africa

  Distance in KM

  12
  Estimated Time to complete

  1 hour 10 mins
• Wind Direction

  SE

  SSE
  Best months

  Jan

  Feb

  Mar

  Sep

  Oct

  Nov

  Dec
• Average Rating

  5.0
  
  
  No of Followers:

  3
• Created

  over 4 years ago
  Last updated

  over 2 years ago
  Kindly shared by:

  robin.mousley

  
  
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  • Map
  • Details
  • Live Weather
  • Safety
  • Conditions
  • Reviews
  Replay

  
  

  The best downwind paddle in the world? - See what Dawid & Jasper Mocke say...

         Why not book a training session with him and his team?
  
  

  The start –With two slipways to choose from (North or South ramps), getting your hair wet is never an option, it is an easy launch with a safe finish in the sheltered Fish Hoek waters. Start behind the rock at Millers point. (Getting to the rock is often the hardest part)
  

  

  
  The section from the ramp out to Bakoven Rock can be intimidating – especially if the open ocean swell is coming into the bay.  You can tell when this happens because a shore break makes launching off the ramp interesting and the boulders on the beach rumble as they’re tossed in the surf (hence the name, Rumbly Bay).  To leeward, the swells smash against Millers Point itself – you don’t want to go there!
  
  

  
  

  After rounding Bakoven Rock, the runs are typically quite small and hard work to catch. A couple of kilometres later however, as you approach the Roman Rock lighthouse, they really start jacking up.  Quite often there are small diagonal runs pushing from left to right, and you can link between them and the bigger swells heading towards Fish Hoek.
  
  

  The primary landmark is the Roman Rock lighthouse. The ideal direction is to aim just to the left of the lighthouse keeping it about 50 meters to 100 meters on your right as you pass by. After that look for “the quarry”, an old stone mine visible in the mountain. When it is blowing more from the south, and very strong, there is a downdraft from the mountain causing huge gusts that seem to be blowing you out into the middle of the bay. Don't stress, just go with it. After two kilometers, the wind will be right behind you.

  

  
  
  Now, if there is anyone who gets having downwind fun then watch this video from Zach & Jerry doing the Millers Run, these guys are in DownwindFun's hall of fame for having the most downwind fun!! Enjoy !
  
  

  
  
  
  And another one from these 2 on a big day!
  

  
  
  

  
  

  There are 2 finish points, the FHLSC Club and the main beach. The Millers Taxi is a shuttle service that transports between Fish Hoek and Millers Point Park your car at Fish Hoek beach and hop on the shuttle. Shuttle times daily via whatsapp or on their Facebook page. You will need cash and your own tie downs.

  

  
  Other sources of information:
  Epic Kayaks article on the Millers Run - another detailed article on the route.

  Paddlers magazine article - ICON Millers Run by Nikki Mocke

  Memories of the Millers - a great article from Surfski.info

  
  

  
  

  Recommend using RSA Safetrx there are lots of success stories on this run of waterfolk using this app. From experience the mobile signal isn't good at Miller's Point so one should start SafeTrx while driving through Simon's Town on the way to doing the downwind run.
  
  

  
  
  Things to watch out for
  
  

  • Sunset!  Don’t leave it too late before you start – it’s far more difficult for rescuers to find someone in the dark.
  • Swell coming into False Bay.  The waves normally hit the Cape Peninsula from the SW, but on occasion swing around to the SE.  A big SE swell can make the launch at Rumbly Bay interesting –on occasion the sets shut out right across the mouth of the bay – and beach rumbles as the boulders tumble back and forth in the surf (giving Rumbly Bay its name).
  • The wind direction: SSE is best; ESE often makes for a messy sea.  The first day after the SE starts blowing is usually the cleanest; each day that the SE blows seems to make the bay messier – it’s still fun, but the runs become more technical and less easy to link together.
  • The reefs and rocks around Roman Rock lighthouse.  In milder conditions, it’s tempting to shoot the gap under the lighthouse gantry.  Just be aware that there’s a reef to the north-east of the lighthouse – and several rocks at the base of the gantry.  I still have a scar on my stomach courtesy of the reef and was recently left high and dry on one of the rocks!
  • Glen Cairn!  The classic beginner’s mistake is to head too far to the left, thinking that you’re headed towards Fish Hoek when you’re actually aiming at Glen Cairn.  The peak to the left of Fish Hoek is distinctive – just be aware of where you’re paddling!
  • The reef at Sunny Cove – you can recognise Sunny Cove by the pedestrian bridge that crosses the railway line.  Don’t go too close to the reef – but you can catch a great run on the shoulder, to shoot past your buddy who’s taken a deeper line!

  
  A guide of conditions:
  
  

  • Beginners –10 - 15 knots
  • Intermediate –15 –20 knots
  • Experienced –20 –30 knots
  • Super experienced –30 knots +

  In my opinion the best conditions are:

  • SE @ 20 knots and small to medium swell is perfection for most,
  • NW @ 20 knots and no rain is perfection for most.
  • Avoid Millers runs when: Its ESE, the easterly makes the ocean angry and messy, it’s less fun for less experienced but nice and technical for those wanting a challenge.

  
  

  
  

  Have fun and please stay safe!

  Some Basic Safety Guidelines

  - It is very difficult to spot someone in the water especially in strong wind conditions, so please make sure you can be seen - use bright colour clothing. Wear a brightly coloured PFD Wear a brightly coloured rash vest ( luminous green or orange is best)

  - Use a buddy system - doing a downwind with someone else is always safer than on your own.

  - Have a VHF Radio, mobile/cell phone in a waterproof bag ( test that you can use this in all conditions)

  - Know who to call for help and be sure that your family know who to call. Be sure that someone knows where you are and when you should return. And that they will call for help if this time is exceeded.

  - Other useful tips - Use a leash from the craft to your body. Have a signal flare (hand held are best) or pencil flares. Carry a reflector / mirror. Have a whistle that works when wet. Have your name and landline number on your craft. Leave a card with your name and phone number (mobile/cell and landline) on your vehicle dashboard.

  
  

  • From Spring to late Autumn, September to March, South Easterly winds batter the coast. 
  • The most common wind to do the Millers in, is a South-Easterly (SE).
  • The waves usually comprise wind swell only, but watch out when the swell on the Atlantic is running from the SE directly into the bay - then things can get really interesting...  If you see numbers like "3m at 12sec" then it's time for "experts only".
  • 10 to 15 knots is perfect for the weekend warrior who wants to surf runs without worry. 
  • When the wind reaches 20 knots and above, it is for the seasoned downwind hunter.

  
  

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