Surf Foundation active in Ward 3

Barry Vosloo

When the Ward 3 Committee met recently to identify the development needs of their ward, Councillor Brenton Williams and Koffie Jacobs of the Surf Foundation, gave details of current ventures and future plans by the Foundation to upgrade the Jeffreys Bay beachfront within the precincts of Ward 3 at their own cost.

The committee was so impressed with the Surf Foundation’s submission that it resolved to submit their vision to the Kouga Municipality to be included in their Integrated Development Plan (IDP) as a community project.

Supertubes Park in Da Gama Road is arguably the Surf Foundation’s best known project. The park incorporates an area where indigenous plants rescued from development sites in the region, are kept. The plants are mainly used to replant sand dunes and other areas in town. Apart from affording the community recreational space, the park is often visited by schools and other groups. Here they are educated about indigenous plants. The park is also houses two large bins in which residents can deposit recyclable material.

However, there are even more ambitious plans in the pipeline.

According to Williams, the Foundation’s medium term plan is to apply for permission to build a cycle path along Da Gama road from the centre of town to Kabeljauws. Such a path would be of huge benefit to tourism as many of the foreign tourists who visit the town often do not have transport. A business opportunity would also be created for a bicycle rental company.

Foundation is working with the international surf community to establish a surf reserve at Supertubes,” says Williams. “This has been done at other world class surf breaks in other parts of the world. New legislation would have to be drawn up and presented to Government for a surf reserve. This will go a long way in ensuring that surf tourism remains a job creator in Jeffreys Bay, as well as offering future protection to the surf break.”

Williams also articulated an urgent need to solve the Lower Surfers' Point storm water problem and beach access. This area is being badly eroded. A storm water drain, similar to the one in the picture below, should be installed.

Proposed storm water drain at Lower Surfers' Point to combat erosion

This would prevent further erosion and serve a dual purpose as a skateboard “park” for the youngsters in the ward.

At a more mundane level, the Foundation has identified several of the boardwalks leading to the beach, as well as various public toilets, that are in urgent need of repair. Supertubes is a critical area due to the high impact and because these boardwalks are used during the Billabong Pro every year.