Wednesdays from 16:00 to 18:00
When a community pulls together things happen! This is how the table tennis afternoons began. Jenny Davis, who returned to live in Cape St Francis last year, after spending six years in Brighton, Sussex, thought about what she had seen happening there, where there was an active tennis table social club for the elderly. Jenny realised that this would be a perfect way of integrating discipline, learning a new skill, interaction, community, enjoyment and fun. So, when her friend, Stella Plantinga at a braai ( or ‘barbecue’ as they would say in Sussex!) asked her how she would like to participate in the Sea Vista community, this is what sprang to mind.
Through word of mouth and social media – people from St Francis have donated seven tables (an eighth is on its way). These are all used every Wednesday, so up to 50 children are playing weekly. St Francis Bay Rotary Club donated nets, bats and balls. At the same time, children also come to play soccer and netball outside ( broken windows not withstanding). So, the playground which is currently under construction opposite the library in Sea Vista, will eventually be a place where more boisterous activities can happen – no windows there!
The vision is to have a larger group of people ranging in age, playing table tennis at different levels so that no one becomes frustrated. They hope to run regular, competitive tournaments with a ranking ladder as an incentive. The equipment is available, and it would be great to see it being used more widely. For this to happen, more volunteers are needed.
Currently, the table tennis group is primarily for children – from the very young and small to some young adults too. Volunteers from the Sea Vista community and St Francis help as well, Tlotiso Israel Thinyani and Michael Godfrey, for example who play table tennis with the children weekly (and also help with chess).
Jenny finds happiness in interacting with the children, especially their energy and the pleasure they have in learning something new. She values being part of the Sea Vista community. This is also important to Stella who is passionate about the environment, “ The only way that I can help the environment is if I reach the people. We’ve got to start with the little kids. That is my motivation. To show them that there is something different.” It’s an ideal, positive way to keep children busy and focussing their energy.
Jenny says that patience has been the biggest lesson she has learnt.
“Also having eyes everywhere” adds Stella.
Striking a balance between discipline and kindness has been an important learning curve, helping children to understand that bad behaviour does not define them. It is important to both Stella and Jenny to create a space of laughter and enjoyment, where they can run around and have fun.
More volunteers – you don’t need to be able to play table tennis; opponents from schools and sports clubs to come and use the equipment. Help with organising a tournament to showcase what is available. Are you a carpenter? The table tennis project needs small tables built suitable for younger children to use.
If you can help the table tennis project, contact: Stella Plantinga 071 144 6175
If you can contribute to the building of the children’s playground contact: Catherine Hempel 076 412 6090
See also: The Sea Vista Community Umbrella Project Focus: Tennis Coaching.
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa – Jeffreys Bay lit up with perfectly reeling, overhead 6ft waves for the 2024 Kneeboard World Champions Finals Day of the CineFX Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2024 creating the perfect arena for the best kneeboard surfers in the world to battle it out for the coveted World Title.
With the stage set, outstanding performances were delivered throughout the day, matched by an electric atmosphere amongst the spectators on the beach.
In an all-Australian Open Mens Final, Chayne Simpson (AUS) clinched the 2024 Kneeboard Surfing World Champion with a commanding 9.00, complemented by a 7.17. With big critical manoeuvres in his arsenal and massive close out turns to punctuate his rides, Simpson showed consistently excellent surfing throughout the week. “Since we’ve arrived, we’ve had pumping surf and today’s waves were no exception, I loved every minute of it!” says Simpson.
French competitor Anne Milochau (FRA) showcased her exceptional technique and graceful carves to secure the Women’s World Kneeboard Title. “It’s been a dream coming to Jeffreys Bay. The warm welcome and fantastic event have made this week unforgettable,” Milochau remarked.
In a nail-biting Pro Junior Final, Kevin Skvarna (USA) emerged victorious with a critical wave in the final moments of the heat, successfully defending his 2022 Pro Junior Title.
Throughout the week, Australian prodigy Owen Fairweather (AUS) showed exceptionally mature surfing, and his hard work paid off on Finals day when he claimed the Junior Kneeboard Surfing Title.
Jedd McNeilage (RSA), surfing a board shaped by himself, claimed victory in the Seniors division with a buzzer beating wave, also defending his 2022 Senior Men’s title.
In a heat with multiple former world champions, well-respected waterman and legendary Simon Farrer (AUS) took out the Kahunas division with a standout performance consisting of the highest score of the day – a remarkable 9.87 – complemented by an 8.33, earning him the division title.
Jeffreys Bay’s Stephen Van Der Watt (RSA) used his intimate knowledge of the waves to put on exceptional surfing throughout the week, ultimately securing the Veterans title.
Lester Sweetman (RSA) an expert in powerful surf displayed prowess in the sizeable conditions to become the Grandmasters champion.
In the Invincibles division, Scott Wessling (USA) aged over 70 years old, adeptly surfed the large waves to earn the Invincibles title.
The CineFX Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2024 has set a new benchmark for excellence in the sport, showcasing the natural beauty and high-performance potential of Jeffreys Bay. The event is already being hailed as one of the best World Titles in Kneeboarding history, raising the bar for future competitions.
The CineFX Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2024 are presented by Surfing South Africa were made possible by title sponsor CineFX, with support from Occuvision, Woeskus Mag, Paddy Pads, Parkes Kneeboards, Vissla, Country Feeling, Bilt, and Westside Kneelo.
See also: World Kneeboarding Championships Comes to JBay for the first time in kneeboarding history.
These days many of us struggle with the decision on whether we should help our children financially or not. It’s difficult to see family struggle financially, especially if we are in the fortunate position to have more than we will need to live our best life. Afterall they will in most cases end up inheriting our wealth anyway?
Perhaps we should approach this firstly from a non-emotional stance and then let our hearts guide us. Let’s look at some facts:
Our children roll their eyes when we talk about how tough it was for us growing up, but the truth is that while in some ways we had it hard, when it comes to setting up a life financially these days, it is definitely more challenging than we had it.
So then, how do we assist in a way that does not produce spoilt entitled brats? (our worst fear) The type of financial assistance we can give may vary in many forms and should depend on the level of assistance we can afford and the family members unique situation.
I believe an easy one to start with is assisting with our grandkid’s education. The great Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man.” Helping pay for a proper and safe education is probably the most valuable way in which we can help our children and their family.
Educating our children around finance can make sure that they do not fall into expensive debt traps which end up putting pressure on their marriages and causing general stress and anxiety. I know a gentleman who assists his children by paying off their home but then gets them to redirect what would have been their bond payment into investments which ensure their long-term security. This is a smart way to advance the inheritance they would have gotten one day much later while teaching financial discipline and creating long term wealth.
The first step in knowing if we can assist our children is to have our own house in order. This can only be done with proper and thorough cashflow planning which shows us the cost of the ideal life we want to live into retirement. Once we have clarity on this, we can restart the rewarding process of parenting our grown children.
What in life is more important than that? 
Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner.
Previous Columns:
Sunday morning from the spit – photo of the day by Dev Greeff
See also: Early Morning Grannys Pool – Photo Of The Day by Richard Arderne
See also: St Francis Tourism
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