King Tide Alert for Easter Weekend
(A King Tide is a popular, non-scientific term people often use to describe exceptionally high tides that occur during a new or full moon.)
NSRI Issues Coastal Safety Advisory Ahead of Peak Tides
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has issued a coastal safety advisory ahead of the full moon spring tide, set to peak on Thursday, 2 April 2026. The tidal surge will influence sea conditions throughout the Easter weekend and for several days thereafter.
Spring tides occur when the sun, moon, and Earth align during a full moon phase. This alignment increases gravitational pull on the oceans, creating more extreme tidal movement along the coastline.
Beachgoers, anglers, paddlers, and coastal walkers can expect noticeable changes in sea conditions over this period.
What to Expect During A King Tide
Spring tides bring a wider range between high and low water levels. This creates more dynamic and sometimes unpredictable coastal conditions.
- Higher high tides will push water further up the shoreline than usual
- Lower low tides will expose more of the seabed
- The tidal range between high and low tide will reach its peak
These shifts influence currents, wave reach, and access along the coast.
Increased Coastal Hazards
Stronger tidal movement often increases the intensity of ocean-related risks, especially in exposed or narrow areas.
- Rip currents become stronger and more frequent, especially on outgoing tides
- Fast-moving tidal flows intensify in areas such as inlets and channels
- Coastal hiking paths may become cut off during high tide in the afternoon
- Waves may surge beyond normal safe zones for shoreline anglers
These conditions demand heightened awareness, particularly during peak tide changes.
Beach and Swimming Safety
Swimming conditions can change quickly during spring tides. The NSRI encourages a disciplined approach in the water.
- Swim at beaches with lifeguards and stay within designated flag zones
- Stay alert to rip currents, which strengthen during late afternoon outgoing tides
- Check forecasts from the South African Weather Service and review tide tables before heading out
Coastal Activity Guidelines
Planning and preparation play a key role in staying safe along the coast.
- Time coastal walks carefully to avoid high tide cut-offs
- Shore anglers should keep a safe distance from the water’s edge
- Rock and cliff anglers benefit from wearing life jackets and carrying flotation aids
- Boaters and paddlers should wear life jackets, carry safety gear, and keep phones in waterproof pouches
- The NSRI SafeTRX app offers an added layer of safety by logging trips and enabling quick emergency contact
General Water Safety
Simple precautions significantly reduce risk in and around water.
- Alcohol impairs judgment and increases danger in coastal environments
- Children require active supervision near any body of water
- Rivers, dams, and estuaries demand caution, especially after rainfall
- Monitor weather conditions, including wind and swell changes
Plan Around the Tides
Tide timing directly affects safety along the coast.
- Exercise caution during tide transitions, particularly late afternoon shifts
- Incoming tides present added risk for rock anglers
- Stay updated with local alerts and safety notices
Stay Aware and Enjoy the Coast
Spring tides bring powerful ocean movement that lasts several days. With informed planning and sensible decision-making, coastal visitors can enjoy the environment while managing risk effectively.
The NSRI continues to promote water safety and remains on standby to assist where needed.
Read more:
Tour de Santareme Cycle Tour by Richard Arderne
ENDS./
The Pam Golding Properties KING OF THE KROMME This Weekend
Hello Paddlers!
The annual Pam Golding Properties KING OF THE KROMME is on Saturday at 9am at The Cove in Shore Road. There will be a main 20 km race and a shorter 12 km race.
There are trophies for KING and the QUEEN OF THE KROMME, and R15000 cash in prize money (including R5000 each for the KING and the QUEEN)
Lots of world champions paddling!
It looks like we will have the best field of paddlers ever!
In the men’s division, we have the who’s who of paddling in South Africa!
Andy Birkett (2), Jasper Mocke (3), Phil Smith (1), Dawid Mocke, Sam Mocke, plus maybe Ricky Talevi (1). And maybe Matt Fenn!
(The number of previous wins in brackets. Greg Louw has won twice but won’t be paddling this year)
Two of SA’s top young paddlers, Liam Stevenson (16) and Matt Coetzer (18), both from Plett, will also be paddling. They finished a few seconds behind Andy, second and third, in the Sporty Anderson in December 👍
In the Ladies Race, last year’s Queen of the Kromme, Nix Birkett, is the hot favourite, but 2023 and 2024 winner Chloë Bunnett will be here to put Nix under some pressure. And maybe 2022 winner and very fast Jade Wilson too!
So who will be crowned KING AND QUEEN OF THE KROMME 2026??
Last year’s QUEEN and KING OF THE KROMME, Nix and Andy Birkett (now locals) with their sons, and the Pam Golding franchisee, Richard Arderne
By the way, the results of every Pam Golding KING OF THE KROMME since 2009 (but not held in 2020 due to covid) are available on our club’s excellent website:
Other earlier winners were Luke McNish, Scott Johnson, Calvin Zeelie, Jordan Zeelie, Matt Bouman, Juan Maree and Dave Hamilton-Brown.
Prizes and Lucky Draws
There will be the usual popular lucky draw, a Carbonology split paddle, valued at R3500.
Thank you Jason & Hein of Carbonology in PE, co-sponsors for the last 20 years 🙏🏻
For both the 20km and the 12km races, there will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd for:
Ladies and Men
Girls u18 and Boys u18
Ladies over 65 and Men over 65
There are 24 bottles of fine red wine up for grabs 👍👍
And a podium photo of each category 👍
The increased prize money is to ensure that we continue to lure the cream of SA’s paddlers. The winners in the past have been household names in the paddling community, and we want to keep it this way. From the sponsor’s point of view, it is wonderful to attract a big field, especially of locals, but famous winners are also great for the profile of the event.
Where to turn at the halfway mark
If you are paddling the 20km course next Saturday (it felt like 30 km when I paddled it last Saturday 😳) .. the three turquoise poles will be a welcome sight! The red turn buoy is right next to them, for your clockwise turn home.
Paddlers cherish this opportunity to paddle up this special stretch up the Geelhout, with indigenous bush right on the banks, and the river becoming ever narrower, until it is only about 8m wide at the turn.
The short course turn marker is the sign in the river “SKI ZONE STARTS HERE” .. a little to the PE side of the river, where the face brick houses change to the new white walled/black roofed houses.
Look out for regular boatman, Ralph Alberts, who be up the river in his very fine boat, to take photos and as safety sweep 🙏
K1 or Surfski?
The advantage of a K1 is that you can paddle in shallower water .. very useful particularly at the first left hand turn up the Geelhout 👍
I bought a K1 for this race two years ago but chickened out because I was nervous that I might have a swim if a speedboat came too close 🙄
I am paddling the 20km course on Saturday, in a single surfski … it will be a very long morning! But I have my eye on third place in the over 65’s!
Weather and Tides and Stickers
Low tide is around 11am to midday, so the tide will be going out both ways, and will be quite low on the way back! The forecast is a gentle westerly to help on the way back!
Please stick a PGP sticker onto your boat 🙏🏻 … if you don’t already have one on. They will be available at registration. No sticker, no time, no prize!
The Start and Other Info
There will be one start for both the 20km and 12km races, but short course paddlers are to please start behind the long course paddlers.
Paddlers need to be registered with Paddling South Africa.
A good vantage point for watching is from the Kromme bridge.
An ambulance will as usual be in attendance, heaven forbid.
The entry fee of only R140 includes a recovery drink as you leave the water, plus a tasty boerie roll and a cold beer 👍👍
We usually have around 80 to 100 paddlers, with the quality and size of the field ever increasing.
Singles can slip doubles! But best you install a weed deflector! Life jackets aren’t required.
Doubles are very welcome, but they won’t take home the cash or a bottle of wine …. but maybe the lucky draw Carbonology paddle 😎
Kouga Locks In Leadership as DA Backs Bornman for 2026
Early Call Sets the Tone
The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape has moved early and with intent. The party has confirmed Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman as its mayoral candidate for the 2026 local government elections. Provincial leader Andrew Whitfield made the announcement on Saturday, setting a clear direction well ahead of the campaign curve.
This decision brings continuity into focus. At the same time, it places Kouga firmly in the spotlight as a municipality the party wants to defend and grow.
Performance Drives the Narrative
Whitfield’s prepared remarks leaned heavily into results. Under Bornman’s leadership since 2023, Kouga has built a reputation for stability and delivery. He described the municipality as “a beacon of hope,” reinforcing a message the DA continues to push across its governed regions.
Importantly, Kouga secured its second consecutive clean audit opinion in November. That milestone signals consistent financial discipline. In addition, the municipality earned top honours at the 2025 Municipal Performance Awards. Judges recognised Kouga for financial management, institutional stability, and service delivery.
These markers matter. They shift the conversation from promises to proof.
Infrastructure Gains Momentum
Alongside governance metrics, infrastructure has started to move at pace. The municipality has invested in roads, services, and core upgrades across the region. More notably, Kouga secured a R200 million loan to upgrade 70% of its road network.
That level of investment creates visible change. Roads improve. Access strengthens. Daily movement becomes easier. As a result, residents experience delivery in a practical, tangible way.
A Governance Model Taking Shape
Whitfield framed Kouga as a working example of DA governance. He pointed to clean administration, accountability, and steady leadership as the drivers behind recent progress.
According to him, this approach continues to translate into real-world impact. It supports economic activity. It attracts investment. It also positions Kouga as a place where people choose to live and work.
That positioning carries weight, especially as municipalities compete for both residents and capital.
A Steady Political Climb
Bornman’s path into the mayoral office reflects a steady build. He entered local government as a councillor in 2016. Thereafter, he served as Speaker of Council from 2018 to 2022, gaining institutional experience and oversight.
In January 2023, he stepped into the Deputy Mayor role. Shortly thereafter, he moved into the mayoral position. Since then, his tenure has aligned with a period of administrative consistency and structured delivery.
Momentum Into the Election Cycle
With the 2026 elections on the horizon, the DA has chosen clarity over hesitation. By confirming its candidate early, the party creates space to consolidate support and sharpen its campaign message.
Kouga now becomes a reference point. Performance, infrastructure, and governance will all feed into that narrative.
From here, the focus shifts to maintaining momentum and extending gains.
Seal Point Trials Wave Queue System – guys, it’s not going to work.
Photo from the Jean-Pierre van der Merwe Letoit family archive.
Early morning surfers at Seal Point were met with an unexpected development as officials began trialling a structured “wave queue system.”
Conditions at Seals were far from ideal. A light onshore wind ruffled the surface. The swell looked uneven. Overall, it was pretty average out there. Still, the system went ahead.
Whistle Control From The Rocks
The pilot project uses a colour-coded wristband system. It assigns a rotating priority order for surfers waiting to take off.
Monitoring and control are handled by a whistle from the rocks.
Surfers arriving at the point were issued with coloured wristbands. Each band links to a rotation slot. A sharp whistle signals whose turn it is to paddle.
“Blue band, you’re up. Orange, standby.”
Organisers say the system aims to reduce drop-ins, improve safety, and give everyone a fair shot at the best waves as it is starting to get out-of-control crowded at the point.
Rules Tighten The Lineup
Officials also introduced a clear set of rules.
“Close-outs do not count as completed waves. However, if a surfer attempts a take-off and fails to get to their feet, the wave still counts. That surfer goes straight to the back of the queue.”
The system is managed by a newly formed Cape/Franco coordination team. The group includes recent arrivals from Cape Town and France.
The Seal Point Boardriders Club confirmed that it was not informed of the trial and is not affiliated with the system, and made subtle threats of sorting a few people out.
Mixed Reactions In The Water
Reaction in the lineup was immediate.
Some surfers tried to follow the rotation. They sat wide and waited for their colour to be called. Others ignored the system and paddled into position as sets approached.
From the rocks, the commentary started early.
“Bru, check Shane calling priority on a 2-foot burger.”
“Blow the whistle one more time, I dare you to. In fact, come blow it in my face.”
“Yuss but Stevo is surfing so crap today. Must be the pressure from that whistle.’
“Screw this jol. I’m going to the groynes, Does anyone actually know these ous?”
Tension Builds As Sets Roll Through
Frustration grew as the morning wore on.
One surfer in the lineup summed it up: “If that skinny oke blows that whistle at me one more time, I’m paddling straight up the rocks to moer him.”
By mid-morning, one surfer claimed his band had “faded in the sun” and was now “technically neutral” and would no longer abide by the rules.
Trial Continues Through The Day
Official Cape/Franco spokesperson Jean-Pierre van der Merwe Letoit said the trial will continue through the day. They may adjust the system based on community feedback and wave quality.
At the time of writing, the whistle is still going, but local surfers were getting rather tense and had started drinking heavily.
A local filmer got some harrowing video footage
Be cool out there today, 1 April 2026.
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