LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN THE NEW YEAR

Happy New Year!

Now is the time to ride that new year motivation, set your sights on the year ahead and take this opportunity to get into some new hobbies.

Read on to find out our top picks for 2024 experiences and activities, to help you learn something new!

Learn to Snorkel

Why not do something that challenges you this year? Snorkeling well and truly takes you out of your comfort zone and quite literally plunges you into the depths of the sea! But the magnificent creatures and underwater life that you’ll discover there will be well worth it.

The excursion starts at a meeting point close to Simon's Town, where the group will get kitted out in dive gear and settled on the Zodiac RIB, ready for the journey out. Since this is a snorkelling expedition no previous dive experience is necessary, participants will simply receive a briefing from the instructor and a safety talk, then it's time to hit the water! 

The seals in False Bay have grown accustomed to human presence, so you can expect to see several curious faces swimming around you, as well as the abundant marine life that resides in the bay.

Featured Experience: Snorkelling with Seals in False Bay From R 1650

View All Snorkelling Experiences

Learn to Drift

Kick off the year in style and experience the thrill of extreme drifting in Gauteng with this exclusive three-hour session! Step into the driver's seat of a powerful Nissan 350z and learn the art of drifting from seasoned instructors. From mastering donuts to honing various drifting techniques, this session guarantees an adrenaline rush like no other.

Get behind the wheel of the iconic 350z Nissan and embrace the excitement of perfecting your drifts to professional standards. As a cherished memento, relive every hair-raising moment with a personalized highlights video delivered two weeks after your experience.

This half-day drifting extravaganza in Delmas is the ultimate gift for any petrol head or for commemorating a special occasion. Get geared up for an unforgettable adventure that'll leave you craving more of that unparalleled rush!

Featured Experience: Basic Drift Skill Training in Gauteng From R 5000

View All Drifting Experiences

Learn to Sandboard

For something a little different, why not indulge in the ultimate adventure at Atlantis Dunes with this Sandboarding and Bumper Ball Experience in Cape Town! Picture yourself hurtling down colossal sand dunes, feeling the exhilarating rush of wind as you master the art of sandboarding, guided by expert instructors ensuring your safety while maximizing the thrill.

These dunes aren't just stunning; they're renowned worldwide for offering an unbeatable sandboarding experience. Imagine the sheer thrill as you conquer these towering dunes, feeling the sand beneath your feet and the wind in your hair. So, seize the chance to learn something new and create unforgettable memories with friends or family. Grab your sense of adventure and dive into an extraordinary day at Atlantis Dunes!

Featured Experience: Atlantis Dunes Sandboarding and Bumper Ball Experience From R 750 

View All Sandboarding Experiences

Learn to Fly Fish

Have you always wanted to learn to fish? Make 2024 the year you cast your line! The 2.5 hour private lesson takes place at the Lanseria Country Estate, the perfect setting for a scenic and memorable fishing experience. The session begins when you greet your personal instructor and chat about what's in store, explaining how the lesson will pan out and discussing what you'd like to get from the training. 

You'll first learn about the fascinating history of fly fishing, and go over the various equipment used in this relaxing activity. The instructor will show you how to choose the correct flies to fish with and how to cast the line. Then for the part you've been waiting for, your first fly fishing experience! The guide will be on hand to ensure your flies are tied on properly, and to give advice so that hopefully by the end of the session you'll have caught (and released) your very own fish.

Whether you’ve always wanted to learn how to fish or are looking to develop existing skills, this private fly fishing lesson is a great place to start in 2024.

Featured Experience: Private Fly Fishing Lesson in Gauteng From R 1500

View All Fishing Experiences

Learn to Cake Decorate

If you fancy yourself a bit of a wizard in the kitchen, take your culinary skills to the next level with this unique cake decorating workshop in Durbanville. Baking a cake that tastes amazing is one thing, but what about making it look good enough to eat?

On arrival at the kitchen in Durbanville, your instructor will run through the itinerary for the day and demonstrate some of the techniques you'll be practising throughout the workshop. The aim of the day; learn step-by-step how to cover a 3 or 4-layer 20cm cake using the 'upside down ganache method', then mold a variety of sugar roses and dust them in a colour of your choice, ready to decorate the cake. 

You'll receive tailored tuition throughout the workshop to ensure you're improving your skills in the kitchen, but this isn't a purely technical lesson, you'll also have a real opportunity to let your creativity flow! Whether you've never decorated a cake before or are looking to brush up on your designs, this full day workshop is sure to help you achieve your goals. And the best part? You get to take your cake home at the end!

Featured Experience: Chocolate Ganache Cake Decorating Workshop in Durbanville From R 4000

View All Baking and Cake Decorating Experiences

Expand Your Wine Tasting Palate

Okay, we’re cheating a bit with this one – but as far as we’re concerned, expanding your wine tasting palate counts as learning something new. Go into 2024 with a sense of adventure, starting with this Whale Spotting and Wine Tasting Experience in Cape Town!

You’ll begin this full day experience by driving along False Bay's coastline, which offers beautiful scenery and incredible wild flowers. The first actual stop will be Stony Point, where you will get the chance to witness its well-known African penguin colony. Next, you will travel to Hermanus. Here, you have the option to take part in an optional boat cruise, or land-based whale watching for those opting to stay on land. Spot Southern Right Whales (in season) of Walker Bay. 

Lunch will take place after the cruise in either the Hemel and Aarde Wine Valley, or Hermanus. Enjoy a food and wine pairing lunch at a winery in the Hemel and Aarde Wine Valley, or lunch in Hermanus town overlooking the ocean. (Lunch and whale watching cruise are optional extras, at the participants' own expense.) 

The day finishes with a visit to Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, to taste some exceptional wines. You will visit one winery for wine tasting, before heading back to your pick-up point in Cape Town.

Featured Experience: Whale Spotting and Wine Tasting in Cape Town From R 5850

View All Wine Tasting Experiences

Learn to Arrange Flowers

Flowers and plants are one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to spruce up your home as you head into the new year, so why not learn to arrange flowers with a little finesse? This Gauteng flower arranging workshop will ensure that your blooms look perfect every time; the ideal complement to your space.

The experience will take place at a successful florist's studio, where you'll be provided with all the materials you need to begin. Over the next few hours, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the serenity working with flowers brings. Focusing on the floristry style and designs that interest you most, the expert teacher will show you necessary techniques to create beautifully unique arrangements - but most importantly you’ll have fun! 

You'll pick up a few tips and tricks, not only from your teacher but also your like-minded peers, while drawing inspiration from the impressive examples provided, to create an arrangement which demonstrates your own personality and creative flare.

Featured Experience: Creative Flower Arranging Workshop in Gauteng From R 2475

View All Art and Craft Experiences

Learn to Dive

Take the plunge! This diving experience in Cape Town is one-of-a-kind, and gives you the opportunity to spot seals and other fascinating marine creatures.

You’ll meet your instructors in Simon’s Town, a 45-minute drive from Cape Town. Here, you’ll sign an indemnity form and collect your dive gear. After an introductory briefing, you’ll hop aboard the Zodiac inflatable boat and begin the 15-minute journey to the dive site. 

The dive takes place in a 12-metre-deep channel near Millers Point, where you’ll descend to the sandy bottom, before exploring the swim throughs and tall plants of the kelp forest. These underwater jungles are home to an astonishing variety of marine life—including Cape fur seals and multiple species of shark. The kelp creates a unique environment, and its serene atmosphere will stay with you long after you return to the surface.

Featured Experience: Kelp Forest Diving Experience in Simon's Town From R 1650

View All Diving Experiences 

Learn to Sea Kayak

Kayaking is a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the water, but sea kayaking takes it to another level by allowing you to enjoy the open water as you paddle along!

Your experience will begin with a thorough briefing from your kayaking guide. This’ll include different kayaking techniques and safety tips, leaving you fully prepared for the adventure ahead of you. The journey will begin at the Old Harbor; you’ll then paddle into the Marine Reserve, with copious amounts of fur seals, penguins and cormorants! 

Although you’re not legally allowed to come within 300m of a whale, you might still get to spot one in the distance. You’ll discover a completely new world, accompanied by your passionate guides who’ll share with you their extensive knowledge of the ocean and all that inhabit it.

Featured Experience: Sea Kayaking Experience in Hermanus From R 450

View All Canoeing and Kayaking Experiences

Learn to Tango

Dance your way into 2024 and learn the techniques behind the Argentine Tango! Dancing is a great skill to develop for your health and fitness – and so you don’t feel awkward standing in the corner at weddings. Take your partner along to this Argentine Tango class, and bond as you dance together under the tutelage of an expert teacher.

Argentine Tango developed in Buenos Aires and Uruguay from around the 1880s. There are several variations, but all have in common a sensual elegance, distinctive embrace, and heavy reliance on improvisation. 

Your teacher, Rachael, has been dancing tango since 2001, and you’ll benefit from her considerable expertise throughout the session. Rachael draws upon her wealth of experience – much of it gained among the world’s best teachers and in the late-night milongas of Buenos Aires – to offer a uniquely holistic approach to dance. 

This encompasses mind, body and spirit, with emphasis on the non-verbal communication and mindful connection between partners. Whatever your ability, you’ll be delighted by your improvement after just an hour!

Featured Experience: Private Couples Tango Lesson in Cape Town From R 600

View All Dance Class Experiences

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for reading our guide to learning a new skill in 2024.

The new year might not bring with it the same optimism for everyone – but it is a great excuse to motivate yourself, get out of your comfort zone and try something new.

If you're still looking, browse our full range of Lessons and Classes here.