The West Wind issu 12

contents 14

49

Clive Wright

Jacquie Jorgensen

PHOTO feature 34

Art feature 61

Opening Night At News From The St Colony Restaurant Francis Property Owners 40 Non-Profit Company How To Keep It Cool (SRA) Over Summer

69

89

Episode Four

By Melissa Volker

It’s a go!

lEARN TO SUP 76

Meet the locals: St Francis Bay Vet Nerine Botha 83

Building With Wood Is cool

Wine on water 96

Locals shine at sea harvest sa junior surfing champs

EDITORS COMMENT There is a good vibe in St Francis Bay right now. A general sense of positivity abounds amongst many people.

Trade has been reasonably good for many people, and there is a general sigh of relief as we start seeing the light at the end of this dark patch that has been with us for what feels like years.

For what it’s worth, our first lockdown started on March 26, 2020, and it has been a general aura of chaos and confusion for many months after that.

08

F O R EXAM PLE, AT O N E STAGE, I T WAS IL L E GAL TO BUY O P E N-TOED S HOES , R O A S T CHI CKEN,

CIG A RE T TE S A N D O F CO URS E , BO O Z E .

2020, Mr Patel banned the selling of open-toed shoes, undies and roast chicken?

We couldn’t even buy underwear at one stage, and short-sleeved shirts could only be sold if they were promoted or displayed to be worn under jackets or jerseys. Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel also declared that “crop bottoms must be worn with boots or leggings.”

IM A GI NE HAV I NG T HAT ON Y OUR P E R M ANENT R E C ORD AS Y OUR C O N TRI BUTI ON TO T HE W ELL-BEI NG OF T HE NATI ON?

It was a crazy time, and we have all suffered. Still, imagine one day in the future when school history books show that during COVID

At least there was some humour in our darkest hours, as Max Hurrel and The Kiffness started making videos and having some funhttps://youtu.be/ UshEeyv8YZM

BUT N O W S U M M E R I S H E R E , A L L T HIS I S S O O N G O IN G TO BE ME M O R IE S , A S W E A LL G E T A CHA N CE TO E N JO Y OUR H OLI D AY S PR OPE RLY A G A IN .

There is a selection of new restaurants to enjoy. There are many sports events and happenings, and there will be people out and about enjoying the wonders of

08

St Francis again.

IT M IGHT GET A B IT B U S Y, I T M I GHT G E T A BI T NOI S Y, B U T WE’ RE ALL L U C K Y TO BE HERE A N D SHOULD A P P R ECI ATE I T FOR WHAT I T I S .

No matter what happens for the next few months, the sun is out, and no one can steal our vibe.

A L L PH OT OS © G UMBY

Photo feature CL I V E W R I G HT

I am married (Terry) with 2 children (Samantha and Kendal). I live on a farm on the Oyster Bay road. We moved here from Kleinmond in the Western Cape 21 years ago.

I USED A MANUAL FI LM CA ME R A A S A TEENAGER MANY MO ON S A G O.

It was too expensive at that stage of my life and so I stopped the hobby. Took up digital photography 15years 14

ago and upgraded equipment steadily. I shot with Canon for many years but recently changed to Sony mirrorless cameras. I use a 200-600mm zoom for the longer shots and a variety of wide angle lenses for landscape and astrophotography.

A panorama of a double rainbow over the Sand River.

I L O VE S H O O T IN G TH E WAVE S AT CSF BE A CH B R E A K .

OTH E R W I S E , I TRAVE L TO D O LAN DS CA PE A N D A S TR O PHOTO G R A P HY.

Cape St Francis lighthouse with a reflection in a roadside puddle. Taken after recent heavy coastal rain.

A couple of Otters leaving the water at the beach at Cape St Francis. They disappeared into the dunes.

Seal Point and the lighthouse as seen from the beach near Shark Point.

Surfer at Cape St Francis at sunrise.

Sunset lighting at the Wildside. A fisherman on the rocks.

Sunset at the Wildside. Interesting clouds that afternoon.

An rebound wave at Anne Ave. Santareme in the background on the right.

An early morning beach break wave at Cape St Francis.

Farmland near Oyster Bay at sunset.

Opening Night At Colony Restaurant REVI E W BY C R A IG JA R V IS

It’s not often we get out for dinner as a family.

With high workloads and two young kids with early sleep times, it’s always just easier to have dinner at home and hang out as a family until we all fall asleep.

So, it was exciting to go out for the opening of the new Colony Restaurant in St 34

Francis Bay. We arrived first, to some delightful live jazzy sounds from the corner.

Even more entertaining was that the duo in the corner tinkling the ivories and singing sweet jazz sounds were two staff members of the local SUPERSPAR.

I T WA S A TRUN CATE D M E N U FO R TH E O P E N IN G .

ST I LL, CH E F N O L A N A S S UR E D U S T HAT IF WE NEEDED A N Y TH I N G SP E C IA L FO R TH E K ID S, HE W OULD BE A B L E TO RUS TLE U P A N Y TH I N G .

So we decided on a mix and match, all eating off each other’s plates type of meal. We ordered two Shakshuka 300g Rump Steak mains (R145 each) and two starters, being the Kushisa Peri-Peri Chicken Livers (R75) and the Colony Prawn Mikunji (R75).

This was accompanied by a bottle of La Motte Sav Blanc for R175.

The steaks were presented to our kids and were perfectly cooked, mediumrare, pre-sliced and delicious. My son guarded his closely, offering me a few of the chips and the cheese

35

sauce. He loved it, polishing off most of it. My daughter climbed in valiantly, but after her cross-country running event at St Francis College that afternoon, she soon started tiring.

TH E PE R - PE R I CHI CK E N LI V E R S W E RE P I QU A N T A N D H A D A N IC E BI TE TO TH E M , W H I LE TH E P R AWN S W E RE S MO T HE R E D I N G A RLI C A N D CHE E S E S AN D WE R E 36

Q U IT E DECADENT. When we finally managed to taste the steaks, we too found them delicious and perfectly done.

We were full afterwards, and my daughter was battling to stay awake.

WE D ECI DED ON A S IN G LE PORTI ON O F M AM A LES LEY ’ S T R A D I TI ONAL M I LK TA R T TO S HARE. HU G E M I S TAKE.

It was devoured in 0.8 seconds, and my daughter was hugely upset that she missed out while half asleep.

So we ordered another one, and even though it came in about 1 minute, her Tiktokaffected attention span had kicked in, she had already lost interest and was looking at something on my wife’s phone. This time it took about 2 seconds to devour the slice. It was to die for.

G R E AT FOO D , FR I E N DLY V IB E S, A N D CLOS E

AT T E NTI ON TO D E TA I L in the meal servings and the restaurant set up.

The meal, including wine, Sprites and 10% gratuity, came to R775. Compliments to the chef. *Our staff and journalists pay for all meals, drinks, services and accommodation at The West Wind and do not announce themselves. We do not accept freebies. That way, we can always keep it real.

37

How To Keep It Cool Over Summer

We are expecting a big rush of visitors, and it is going to get crowded and hectic here in St Francis Bay. So here are some ideas for you to think about as we all start preparing for the summer holidays.

SU N RI S E S E SS IO N S

The sun is moving up around 4:30 am or thereabouts in the height of summer, and the early mornings are definitely the quietest and arguably the most beautiful times in St Francis Bay. To do something different and very chilled, go to bed super early, and 40

set your alarm for 15 minutes before sunrise.

Head out somewhere with uninterrupted views, probably on the beach, and watch the sunrise. You might be joined by a few fishermen, but mainly it’ll be you and your thoughts. It does put this wonderful place into perspective.

WA LK ON T HE W I LD S I DE

It never gets crowded on the wild side, and the FOSTER Nature Reserves are a fantastic place to ramble, stretch your legs, and experience that feeling of the great outdoors.

Also, a good idea is to venture out in the early

hours, but these zones are generally far from the madding crowd, and you will have space to swing a cat if you need to.

FOSTER Nature Reserves are well maintained and looked after, and you will be amazed at the natural beauty out there.

41

CATCH I N G TH E W ORM

These days more people are attuned to the fact that early morning shopping is the win. At the SUPERSPAR, the shelves are always fully stocked in the morning, and there are simply fewer people around. It’s a relatively small window before the second wave of shoppers arrives, but it is all about timing. By the time that wave comes, you’re already in TOPS doing your second round of shopping.

42

E A R LY GRAZ I NG

As long as we don’t have a curfew put in place, there are many more hours of sunlight in the height of summer.

If you want to go out for a bite to eat and a few drinks, then the first sitting at most restaurants is usually quiet.

People take some time to come off the beaches, shower and freshen up, so there is usually an influx of customers in the restaurants around 8pm, and then the revellers after that. You can easily have a good feed and

a few beers before 8pm.

Chances are that you might fall asleep early that night, but then you can fall back on the Sun Rise idea above.

CR OW DS UR F IN G

It does get busy in the summer, and it doesn’t matter where you go in the area; there will be other surfers around. After our initial lockdown and after having surfing removed, there is still a general feeling

of gratitude for surfing. That we still have the freedom to go for a surf. So we just need to be grateful for being able to surf, paddle out, and if it is crowded and hectic, just chat with a few friends in the water and splash around. The only thing worse than a lousy surf is no surf.

R IV E R M OUTH

The Kromme River mouth is a good escape as well, from the seafront side. When it 43

is open, the ski canal mouth is usually pretty busy over Christmas, but there are way fewer people on the beach side of the spit. Walk down from the George road car park or somewhere similar on low tide, and you will find some quiet corners where you least expect it.

DUCK DUCK G O

Some people call it Shelly Beach; the surfers call it Ducks, but the Shark Point side of Cape St Francis beach is usually pretty tranquil. So grab a cooler box and some refreshments, and a few umbrellas and go and find your own private Idaho. Remember to wear flip flops or some 44

sort of shoes, as the white sand gets so hot on those sweltering summer days that it will burn your or your kids’ feet badly.

D IE P UNT VA N D I E W I ND

When the winds come in summer, be it the easterly or the westerly, it is an excellent time for downwind missions. So whether paddling to the Walskipper with the west behind you or running from Paradise Beach to the Kromme, helped by the east, don’t let the wind ruin summer. In fact, don’t let anything ruin summer because we all deserve it this year.

Cape St Francis Artist Jacquie Jorgensen

BY CR A I G J A R V IS

There are so many amazing artists from the area and even more emerging. Jacquie Jorgensen has been writing about our artists, but who knew that she was such an incredible artist herself ?

What inspired you to start painting? From all accounts, you were a late bloomer?

I did my first little painting on the Greek Island of Ithaca when I was travelling in 2019 at the age of 52.

I WA S I N S P IR E D B Y G R E E CE ’S E N D L E SS BLUE S A N D G R E E N S, W H E R E TH E L IG HT I S DI FFE R E N T A N D TH E S H A DE S O F

C O L O UR ALM OS T O T HE RW ORLDLY. When I returned home, my mother, a trained artist who has a great little art collection, just loved the painting and claimed it.

I think her enthusiasm encouraged me.

T HE N I DI DN ’ T P A IN T AGAI N UNTI L WE W ERE LOCKED D O WN. I was living in a flat in PE

with my mother and sneaking out to Seals for illicit walks.

TH E N ATUR A L BE A UTY H E R E I N S P I RE D M E TO CA RRY O N PAI N TI N G .

Your art sells. Is it gratifying to sell to earn money, or is it more that someone appreciates your vision?

In all truth, it is both. It is deeply rewarding to feel I have moved somebody with my work, but I don’t want paintings piling up. I love it when they sell.

I L O VE M AKI NG A P A R T OF M Y LI V I NG D O ING W HAT I A B SOLUTELY LOV E. Why surf art? You mentioned your son.

I am obsessed with light and 51

water, sky and ocean.

TH E R E I S PE A C E A N D PO W ER A L L AT ON CE I N THE WAV E .

Then there is my story - my son passed away in a car accident in 2008 at 17. He was posthumously the 2008 SA Junior Bodyboarding 52

Champion. I spent 12 years driving him around every afternoon looking for waves.

S P IR IT UALLY, P A IN T I NG WAV ES C O N NECTS M E TO HIM . W HEN I AM P A IN T I NG S URF, I F E E L HI S PRES ENCE,

A N D S OM E ‘ O T HE R ’ CR E ATI VE P O WE R SEE MS TO TA K E OVE R, A N D I A M JUS T TH E C HA N N E L .

What is your long game with your art? Do you have a specific goal?

I want to go large scale with my waves - 2.5m x 1m.

I HAV E A V I S I ON FOR A N E X HI BI TI ON, BUT I WIL L NEED TI M E T O B U I LD 15 P I ECES .

I have a work on my easel at the moment that is going to England - a 53

commission. It’s great to have someone approach me to paint something based on previous work. More of this would be awesome.

What do you work with?

I work in oils. Other than the sea and wavescapes, I love to paint water in different forms.

MY I N S P I RAT IO N BOA RD I S F U L L OF P I CTURE S OF WATE R , RE FLE CTI ONS IN

WAT ER, HORS ES AND T HE COS M OS .

I have painted on canvas but prefer to paint on board.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

A Facebook group called Waves of the World, and I spend hours going through those images. I also watch a lot of surf and bodyboarding on Instagram.

Jacquie can be contacted on 082 653 3509 or at jacquietruetomyheart@gmail.com

55

56

44

36

N E W S F ROM THE S T F R A NCI S P ROPE RT Y O W N E R S N ON - PROFI T C O M PA N Y (SRA ) Many people have moved to St Francis over the last 18 months, many of them unaware of how the St Francis Property Owners (SFPO) Association and the Non-Profit Company (SRA) work.

The new SFPO Office is located at 9 Philippa Place.

Office hours 08h30 to 13h00 weekdays.

W H AT A R E T HE DI FFE RE N C E S BE TW E E N T HE SF P O A S S O CI ATI O N A N D TH E S FPO NP C ?

The SFPO Association is the ‘ratepayers association’ for St Francis Bay. At the same time, the SFPO NPC is a non-profit company set up to administer the Special Rating Area (SRA).

Membership for the SFPO Association is voluntary. It is a good thing, though, because a strong ratepayers association helps monitor and influence

service delivery from the Municipality.

Regarding the NPC, If you own a property in the demarcated SRA area, you pay the SRA levy as part of your municipal invoice from the Kouga Local Municipality. Therefore, you are, by rights, a member of the NPC. The SRA levy is used to fund three key projects: - CCTV Cameras - Roads - Long Term Beach Restoration Project 61

LO N G TE RM B E A C H RE S TO R ATIO N PR OJ E CT It is clear that if coastal protection is not implemented, our beaches will be lost entirely in the next few years.

The long term coastal protection solution includes a groyne field and some 1 million cubes of sand placed on the 2,7km length of the beach. This will result in the widening of the beach in

The completed entrance circle.

St Francis Bay by some 40 metres.

R O A DS

The Village Entrance project was completed by the SRA 2 years ago. As part of their contribution to the restoration of the roads infrastructure in the SRA demarcated area, the Municipality has re-surfaced all of the arterial roads included in the SRA Business Plan.

They also repaired the dip in

George road carpark before and after. the road between Lyme Road North and the Fire Station.

The SFPO upgraded the stormwater pipe in the dip near the United Church.

The Roads project in the SRA business plan is now complete.

CAR PA R K S

The George Road Car Park was paved with the assistance of donations from two property owners some time ago. Anne Avenue

@ Barry Culligan

Car Park was also renovated some time ago.

E M E R GENCY PLAN F O R T HE S P I T

The Municipality constructed an emergency revetment along a large portion of the Spit. The SFPO NPC provided sandbags to assist with the protection of private property and the Pump House.

63

CCTV cameras in strategic potitions.

CC TV CA M E R A S

The SFPO NPC and Atlas negotiated a revision and extension of the existing CCTV contract during the past year.

the existing camera pole locations to be more effective.

The updated CCTV system now comprises:

On top of adding additional cameras, the revision included:

- 59 Camera Pole sites

- Two local access points of live and recorded video footage.

- 6 Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) cameras

- A change to some of 64

- 170 Static cameras

- 4 LPR cameras.

There is now a growing

Positive action and great results from the SFPO NPC (SRA). demand for CCTV cameras in Santareme.

TH E PATH WAY

The SFPO NPC also actively obtains additional external funding to uplift and improve the Sea Vista residents’ infrastructure. They have completed one project, funded by the Kouga Wind Farm Community Trust - The Pathway linking the Village CBD to Sea Vista

The pathway is a functional facility for our Village, and especially for our Sea Vista residents. The bush along the length of the path has been cleared and landscaped. In addition, CCTV cameras, LED streetlights, rubbish bins, and benches have been placed at intervals along the way.

65

ST FR ANCIS PR OPERT Y O W NE RS ASSOCIATION 2 0 2 1 /2 0 2 2 A N N U A L M E M B E RS HI PS Association memberships were due for renewal on 1st October 2021. If you haven’t done so yet, please consider supporting us by becoming a member or renewing your membership. The new SFPO Office is located at 9 Philippa Place. Office hours 08h30 to 13h00 weekdays.

The annual subscription for a property owner/ resident is R500, or R330 for a pensioner.

The SFPO membership runs concurrently with its financial year – from 1st October to 30th September annually.

Payment Options: Visit the website and submit your payment online – https://stfrancis propertyowners.co.za/ membership/ 66

Or make an EFT payment direct to the bank account : Francis Bay Residents Association Standard Bank, Humansdorp Code: 050015 Account No: 082499276 Please use your Erf number and surname as reference.

If you wish to make a more significant donation to the fund, please do so, it will be very well received.

Stand Up Paddleboarding in St Francis Bay

EP I S ODE 4 - S TA N D U P P A D D LE S AFETY TI PS

By Melissa Volker

1.

If you are new to ocean sports, practice standing up from your knees, paddling, moving your feet on the board and turning your board on flat water before you progress to the ocean and waves. Being able to move your feet is an important ocean skill.

2.

Wear a leash, even on the river. The wind comes up in a flash in St Francis, and if you fall, one gust could take your board out of your reach and then you will be in for a long swim.

3.

Always wear a leash when you SUP in the ocean.

Same reason as above, longer swim.

R E M EM BER THAT IF Y O U TAKE A C HIL D W I TH Y OU O N A S UP, THE O N E WI THOUT T HE LEAS H S HO U LD W EAR A P F D (PERS ONAL F L O TATI ON DEV I CE) .

69

Tarryn False Bay, leash & personal flotation device.

4.

Check the weather forecast and do not attempt an ocean paddle in a strong offshore wind. Be aware of the time any forecast wind is expected to strengthen.

For ocean paddles, consider taking a phone in a waterproof pouch and wearing a PFD, as well as a leash. If the wind comes up and you are out of your comfort zone, go to your knees and paddle to shore. If you still can’t paddle into the wind, lie on your stomach, with the blade of your paddle under your chest, handle sticking forward. Paddle with 70

your arms, like you’re on a surfboard.

5.

If you plan a downwind or a distance ocean paddle, even close to shore, download Safetrax, the NSRI app on your phone. Record the type of vessel you’re on, and the app will transmit your live GPS coordinates to the NSRI for their reference should anything go wrong.

T HE R E I S ALS O A C A L L FOR HELP F U N CTI ON S O Y O U CAN QUI CKLY

A N D E A S I LY A L E R T TH E M TO Y O U R EME R G E N C Y, SHOULD O N E A R ISE .

6.

Always wear a leash when SUP surfing.

7.

Cover your head when you fall off your board, particularly in strong winds and in the surf zone. Come up with an arm over your head.

56

8.

K E EP AN EY E OUT F O R B OATS ( M AKE S U R E THEY S EE Y OU) A N D F I S HI NG LI NES ( M A K E S URE Y OU S E E THEM ) when stand up paddle boarding on the river.

In our next episode we will look at three disciplines of stand-up paddle boarding in the ocean.

Tarryn King Fishhoek, leash & personal flotation device.

Melissa Volker is a successful book writer and a keen SUPer. Find out more about her here: https://missmelissawrites. com/

72

Shadow Flicker: https://amzn.to/3agGhao A Fractured Land: https://amzn.to/2QwxWIF coming soon: The Pool Guy

58

53

Meet The Locals: St Francis Bay Vet, Nerine Botha.

BY CR A I G J A R V IS

We are incredibly blessed and lucky to have someone like Nerine Botha as our vet. We chatted to her about her work, her family, and life in the village.

Tell us about your family?

I have been married to my husband Marius for 15 years.

IF ANYONE K N O W S TH E U P S A N D DO W NS OF A CA R E E R I N VE TE RI N A R Y MEDI CI N E , IT ’ S HIM .

76

He always made sure there was always fresh coffee for late nights and early mornings studying or working in the academic hospital.

Edward, our son, just turned 13 and is off to high school next year.

HE A D ORES A N IMALS AND

H A S A S PE C IA L CO N N E CTI O N T O TH E M BUT IS N O T CO N S I DE RI N G A CAR E E R I N V E T M E D AT TH I S S TA G E .

My stepson Duvall, now 21, moved to Australia with his mom when he was young and completed his school career in Sydney. Duvall is currently in his third year of veterinary medicine at James Cook University in Townsville and loves every minute.

Why a vet?

At age 9, a career involving

animals is what I wanted.

By age 11, I reported to our local vet clinic to have my first look around.

I WA S CONS TANTLY N U R S I NG W I LD B IR D S , CHI CKENS , S T R AY KI T TENS AND WA N D ERI NG DOGS A S A TEEN. They asked for a second option on my varsity application, and I was devastated as this was all I wanted.

When did you come to St Francis?

77

I opened Aloe Vet Clinic in September 2010, and we moved here permanently in 2011.

Where were you before St Francis?

I worked in Jeffreys Bay at Oribi Animal Hospital for 3 years. Before that, I was at Atterbury Animal Hospital in Pretoria East. That is where I gained most of my experience, seeing up to 16 emergencies a night for 4 nights a week.

78

Why St Francis?

My husband’s family had a holiday home in Cape St Francis as he was growing up. On our honeymoon, we stayed in Knysna, and he brought me here to show me.

I F E L L I N LOV E WIT H THI S LI T TLE P IE C E OF PARADI S E. WE M OV ED DOW N A B O U T 2 Y EARS L AT E R .

able to go have lunch at the beach, walks in the evening and loads of places to relax after work.

What is the coolest experience you have had here, at work, being a vet in our village?

What is the best thing about working and living here?

It is so different from practising in the city. Here I get to see my patients living their best lives, barking on the back of a bakkie, running on the beach, going to dog training.

The first time the bridge washed away, I had an emergency. With my assistant stuck on the other side, I called on Trudi Malan to assist with the surgery, holding, helping to lift etc.

She was then called to assist somewhere else, and Dr Malan took over. Being assisted in surgery by a medical doctor was a pretty rare and cool experience.

IT I S S O MU C H BE T TE R TH AN JU S T SEE I N G TH EM WHE N TH E Y A RE NO T FE E LI N G WE L L .

Being close to everything compared to at least 2 hours commute in the city is still a big thing for me. Being 79

Building With Wood Is cool

These days, architects and builders often overlook timber as an excellent low carbon option for our local environment. Yet it ticks many boxes, most notably the renewables box. So let’s have a look.

CU LTI VATI NG WO O D

In our country, much of our wood comes from sustainably cultivated pine trees. Therefore, timber production does not cause deforestation. On the contrary, sustainable forestry sees trees planted, grown,

and harvested according to global certification standards and local laws.

Cut down trees are replaced by saplings. Therefore there is always a supply of trees for productive purposes going forward.

83

BUI LDI N G WIT H W OOD I S THE WAY FO R WA RD

Space constraints, climate change alleviation and flexibility, have stimulated new solutions and encouraged building variations. However, these innovations see us going back to basics – before the stone age and before the iron age, and reverting back to wood. Building with wood is no longer reserved for log cottages and garden huts.

TH E CO N S E R VAT IO N CO N VE R S AT IO N 84

South Africa is not treerich. Approximately 0.4% of our land area is made out of forest areas. A forestry landscape is far more complicated than rows of trees.

When wood is sourced from a genuine plantation, there is a link between the buyer and seller. This is from the forest to the retail point - that proves the wood is sustainably sourced.

T HE CARBON FA C T OR

Trees are our greatest natural carbon captors.

South Africa’s plantations

eliminate so much carbon dioxide from our atmosphere. However, this carbon remains clasped inside the wood – no matter how it is used.

TH E CO O L CO N S TI TUEN T

With its excellent insulation qualities, wood acts as a humidity thermostat. In addition, wood and original materials deliver a degree of ‘feelgood’ and comfort that other materials do not. This feeling is known as biophilia.

It is defined as ‘the innate human instinct to connect

with nature and other living beings.’

T HE L OCAL ELEM ENT In South Africa, there are approximately 30 000 people from farm communities contracted in the sawmill business. Apart from this employment, wood is also ideal for low-income housing and also big houses and multi-storey structures.

Simply put, wood brings something unique to the party. Still, it has a greater purpose – to reduce our carbon discharges and provide us with enduring built habitats.

84

Building With Wood Is cool

I T ’S A G O F O R WIN E O N WATER, ST FR A N CI S B AY C A N A L S .

Yes, there have been a few date changes, but this one is the real deal. Finally, Wine On Water has been confirmed for the 25th / 26th February 2022.

Our initial launch was extremely popular, and the initial tickets for the event were sold out fairly quickly. However, after the C19 pandemic wrought its worldwide mayhem, there were cancellations and refunds, but the current situation is thus:

- All tickets that were not refunded are still valid.

- There are 310 tickets left for the event, and they will go on sale on Quicket https://bit.ly/38Kba44 on 2 November at 09h00.

89

84

- The Wine On Water festival will have strict Covid regulations in place.

- Over the next few weeks, regular information will be disseminated from the Wine On Water organisers with regards to more details about the upcoming festival.

I T I S RE COM M E N D E D TH AT I F Y O U WA N T TO G RA B A N Y O F TH O S E RE M A IN IN G TI CK E TS , THAT

Y O U ’ R E READY A N D WAI TI NG ON 2 N O V EM BER, 0 9 H00, M I NI M UM T WO CUPS OF C O F F EE DOW N. You’re going to have to be fast and be prepared to let your fingers fly all over the keyboard. We estimate that the tickets will be gone within an hour or two.

Wine On Water brought to you by Investec is a Rotary

Club Of St Francis charity wine tasting festival.

I T I S S E T TO TA K E PL A CE O N T HE CAN A LS A N D AT S OM E O F TH E BE A UT IF U L WATE R S I DE HO M E S ON TH E S T F R A N C IS BAY CA N A L S .

Water taxis will give rides to festival-goers, who will have the opportunity of tasting 20 of the finest wine estates in

the country. These estates will be set up on decks at private homes with tasting stations for their fine wines.

Hashtags are #wowstfrancis #wineonwaterstfrancis To find out more, please visit www.wineonwater.co.za and should you have any hassles with booking your tickets online, please email us at wowrotarysf@gmail.com Tickets are limited.

Booking link right here https://bit.ly/38Kba44

Locals Shine

AT S E A H A R V E ST S A JU N IO R SU RFI N G CHA M P S

@ WSL

The Sea Harvest SA Junior Surfing Champs took place at Lower Point in JBay from 1-5 October.

It was always a massive and popular event. It saw a welcome return of the top juniors to the perfect waves of the Lower Point.

The first few days had some classic moments and a few onshore days that were somewhat less than classic.

The final day delivered testing, 2-3 foot light 96

onshore conditions. Again, the finalists demonstrated the surfing abilities they have been honing over the past two years.

In a close battle between Cape Town Surfriders and Buffalo City, the prestigious Freedom Cup went to Cape Town Surfriders for amassing the most collective points across all divisions throughout the week.

CAPE TOW N SU RFRI DE R S RE CLA I ME D T HE AWA RD A FT E R LO S I N G I T T O BUFFA LO C IT Y IN 2019.

In the premiere U18 Girls division, Zoe Steyn (Buffalo City) displayed unwavering confidence in the small, fragmented onshore waves.

S HE PUT HER FI ERCE B A C KHAND AT TACK T HR O UGH I TS PACES T O C LAI M V I CTORY WIT H AN 11.93 ( 6.25 + 5 . 68) HEAT S CORE T O TAL. The win marks the fourth Junior title of the young woman’s career.

Zia Hendricks from Jbay @ Kody Mcgregor

97

Lower Point lineup.@ Kody Mcgregor

U18 Boys’ Mitch Du Preez (Buffalo City) built on his performances in every heat surfed throughout the contest. His consistency paid off in the final, where his explosive, exceptionally vertical backhand turns earned him a 13.88 (6.75 + 7.13) heat score total and the prestigious U18 Boys division title.

DU PR E E Z WIL L CHE RI S H TH IS T IT L E A FTE R COM IN G IN AT A CLOS E S E C O N D PL A CE I N B O T H 2 0 1 8 AND 2019.

99

Sarah Scott (Cape Town Surfriders) held on to her winning streak, taking out every heat surfed in the contest, all the way through to the final.

HE R SLI CI NG C A R V ES , AND P O WE RFUL S URFI NG IN T H E CRUM BLY C O N DI TI ONS OF THE F IN A L ... left no inkling of doubt that she was much-deserving of the prestigious U16 Girls division title. The win marks Scott’s third Junior title, after

U12 and U14 Girls division wins in 2018 and 2019.

As conditions deteriorated throughout the day, Connor Slijpen (Cape Town Surfriders) demonstrated his nimbleness in challenging, small onshore waves.

I N TH E U1 6 BOY S FI N A L , H E G E N E RAT E D G R E AT S PE E D A N D PO W E R FUL T U R N S, A T E S TI MO N Y T O H I S W E LL- R O U N D E D SU RFI N G A B IL IT IE S .

100

Rory Dace @ Kody Mcgregor

His performance was rewarded with a total of 12.18 (6.38 + 5.8) heat score and a U16 Boys division title.

After winning their respective Semifinals, Louise Lepront (Ugu Surfriders) and Anastasia Venter (Cape Winelands Surfriders) went neck in neck in the U14 Girls Final.

T HE Y PUT ON A S P E C TACULAR S HO W. A combination of choice waves, beautiful forehand

Joel Dace @ Kody Mcgregor wraps and critical snaps propelled Venter into a significant win with a heat score total of 14.23 points.

This made her the 2021 U14 Girls Surfing champion. This is the young talent’s second Junior title after winning the U12 Girls division in 2019.

OUR LO CA L SU R F E R S FA RE D W E L L , WIT H RO R Y A N D JO E L DA CE MA K IN G IT TO TH E FI N A L S O F TH E I R DI VI S IO N S , A S TH E Y A LWAY S D O.

The two came hot off of wins in the A Longboarding Champs the previous month but could not do enough in this event to claim their second title.

B O T H CAPE S T F R A NCI S S URFERS , R O R Y, PLACED 3RD IN T H E U14 BOY S , A N D J OEL PLACED 3 R D I N THE U16 B O YS .

101