Crayfish Factory #2: ‘Factory’
Note: The given coordinates are for the factory jetty - not the cache . . .
The cache, a small camo-taped tablet pot, is hidden on the southern perimeter of the crayfish factory compound on the edge of a rocky headland identified on local maps as The Island.
To reach the cache location: take the M65 Smitswinkel-Fish Hoek road as far as the crossroads @ S 34 9.881 E 18 20.527 and turn south here along Lighthouse Road (signposted Soetwater). When you reach the junction @ S 34 10.400 E 18 20.533, just before the Soetwater entrance gate, turn left (south) and head down to the large parking area at the end of the road.
From here, take the sandy track starting from the southern edge of this area which heads towards the factory and beyond to the cache location.
To find the cache you will first need to do a jigsaw puzzle accessed by clicking on the image below . . .
The challenging world class surf spot known as Crayfish Factory Beach or just Factory (named after the nearby defunct factory) is raw, wild, and potentially dangerous - everything that pro/experienced/’kamikaze’ surfers love when it comes to testing their skills.
Not surprisingly, it is not recommended for beginners or swimmers, due to its wildness but also the rocky conditions, kelp . . . and sharky waters!
It has an exposed reef break with impressive waves, which tend to originate from distant groundswell. Because of the big waves, surfers must be paddling-strong to handle the really big days.
‘ . . . it features heavy, cold waves that are known to break surfboards and limbs. The break needs a massive south to southwest swell and only starts breaking when the other big wave spots are already double overhead. Pitching on a deep water reef, then sending big spitting barrels along a rock ledge to the safety of the channel. The lips are thick and the wave is heavy . . . ‘
The advice is to ‘Bring your gun if you are planning to enjoy your surf, the big waves tend to get a bit bouncy and surfing a short board on a big day is suicide . . . ‘
The best swell direction is from the south-west, and winter tends to be the best time of year for an epic surf. The waves have a high frequency and average lengths of 150-300m but on good days, this can reach 500m. They are typically 2-3 high (sometimes up to 7m) powerful, hollow, fast and ledgey.
Because of the tricky conditions, the waters are never crowded, even on weekends.
Sentinel – another good surfing spot - is situated further out to sea from Crayfish Factory, and is renowned for its tow-in sized waves.
See CF surfing videos here, here (with the band Switchfoot), here, here, and here (kitesurfing).