Cape St Francis Beach has retained its Blue Flag status for the 2026/2027 season. Dolphin Beach in Jeffreys Bay has also received the international award.
Meanwhile, JBay Supertubes and Paradise Beach continue to hold Green Coast recognition. Together, these awards acknowledge the work that goes into caring for Kouga’s coastline.
The awards were announced at the annual Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards Ceremony on 8 October 2026.
Blue Flag Dates For Cape St Francis
Cape St Francis Beach will fly the Blue Flag from December 2026 to February 2027. At Dolphin Beach, the Blue Flag season runs from December 2026 to April 2027.
The programme recognises beaches that meet strict standards for water quality, environmental management, safety, services and environmental education.
In South Africa, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) administers the internationally recognised programme.
For residents and visitors, the award reflects the ongoing effort required to maintain these standards throughout the designated season.
Recognition For Local Teams And Communities
Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman welcomed the awards. He credited municipal teams, local partners and communities for their work in protecting the coastline.
Bornman highlighted the role beaches play in the local tourism economy. They support businesses and contribute to residents’ quality of life.
He also emphasised that maintaining beach standards requires consistent effort, cooperation and a shared commitment to coastal protection.
With the festive season approaching, the municipality is preparing to welcome holidaymakers. Safety, cleanliness and environmental responsibility remain priorities at its beaches.
However, beach users also have a part to play. Bornman encouraged residents and visitors to keep beaches clean and respect marine and coastal wildlife.
Green Coast Recognition For Supertubes And Paradise Beach
Alongside the Blue Flag awards, Kouga supports the Green Coast Programme at JBay Supertubes and Paradise Beach. This work takes place in partnership with the JBay Surf Alliance.
The programme recognises natural coastal areas where conservation, responsible access and community participation help protect sensitive environments.
These sites add another dimension to Kouga’s coastal attractions. While swimming beaches welcome summer crowds, other stretches are valued for their natural character and ecological importance.
As summer approaches, the municipality will continue working with its partners and communities. The aim is to maintain coastal standards, support responsible tourism and protect the coastline for future generations.
The St Francis Flash Float returns to the St Francis Bay canals on 27 December 2026, starting at 13:30 sharp. Tickets go on sale in early December, giving residents and holidaymakers time to prepare their inflatables for the annual charity float.
Flamingos, unicorns, swans, lilos and pool noodles all have a place on the water. Thousands of participants drift through the canals with the tide, enjoying a relaxed afternoon while raising money for local causes.
The pace is slow, and the purpose is simple: bring people together and support the community.
A Local Idea That Kept Growing
Three St Francis locals, Cathryn Hemple, Jane Arderne and Clairwen Praetorious, came up with the idea. They wanted a happy family day during the holidays that would also raise funds for charity.
Initially, the event supported two local schools: Talhado Children’s Haven, a Montessori preschool, and the Disney Crèche.
Since then, the crowds have grown, and the Flash Float has even featured on national television news. However, its appeal remains rooted in that original idea: an easygoing afternoon with a useful outcome.
Floating for Local Charities
All proceeds go to local charities. Over the years, beneficiaries have expanded beyond the two schools to include other causes serving the Sea Vista community.
These include St Francis Animal Rescue, a local soup kitchen and hygiene packs for young women. As a result, the event supports a range of practical needs in the area.
In 2024, around 4,000 floaters took part, raising approximately R400,000. That is a substantial contribution from an afternoon spent drifting on inflatable flamingos.
Community Support on the Water
The Rotary Club of St Francis Bay now leads the event. Meanwhile, the NSRI, lifeguards, St Francis Paddling Club, Kouga Traffic and volunteers help keep participants safe.
Their support helps organisers manage the large turnout and keep the afternoon running smoothly.
Prepare for the St Francis Flash Float
Floaters must be competent swimmers. In previous years, children under 12 have needed to wear life jackets and float with an adult.
Before attending, check the organisers’ latest requirements and arrangements. Follow the St Francis Flash Float Facebook page for ticket announcements, wristband information and parking details closer to the event.
For now, save 27 December, remember the 13:30 start, and watch for ticket sales in early December.
This week I was meant to be in Cape Town for the Financial Planning Institute’s annual convention. It’s an event I look forward to every year. It’s a chance to learn, and to reconnect with people I’ve come to know over 35 years in financial services.
Then life happened.
A very dear friend, someone I met through this industry, passed away from cancer. His diagnosis came five years ago and forced him into retirement. He was about to turn 69. I have never known a better or kinder man and saying goodbye to him was never something I would miss. So, I missed the first day of the convention. After the funeral I headed straight to the airport and flew to Cape Town for day two.
When I landed and switched on my phone, I saw a missed call from a client I have worked with for more than 25 years. I called him back right away, and I could hear immediately that something was wrong. He wanted to meet, he said, to “get something off my chest.”
My mind raced. What had happened? Had I done something wrong?
Then he said, “Okay, well, let me tell you. I’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer.”
I stopped dead in my tracks. This is a man who didn’t smoke, and who at 74 was as healthy as anyone I know.
To the man in the street, financial planning is about numbers, markets and returns. Those things matter, of course. But if we do our work as well as we can, it is mostly about people. Over the years we build real relationships, and that means we come to care deeply about the families we work with. The work becomes personal. Usually that is the best part of the job, and sometimes it is the hardest.
Weeks like this one leave me grateful. I’m grateful for the work I ended up doing to feed my family, and I’m aware of what a privileged career I have lived. I know many people view our industry negatively. But I also know how important this work is to the families we serve, especially when life can turn on a single phone call.
At Client Care, we don’t just run the numbers, and we don’t chase the best returns. We do everything we can to help our clients live the best life possible with what they have.
This is meant to be an article about financial advice, so the advice today is: none of us knows when our time is up. So in the end, what matters most is living each day the way we choose by design and not on remote.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice in any way or form. It is important to consult a financial planner to receive financial advice before acting on any information contained herein. Client Care and PWM and its directors, officers, and employees shall not be responsible and disclaim all liability for any loss, damage (whether direct, indirect, special or consequential) and/or expense of any nature whatsoever, which may be suffered as a result of, or which may be attributable, directly or indirectly, to the use of, or reliance upon any information contained in this article.
Ladies: 1st: Team Snorkel (Plett)
Mel Glennie, Vanessa Thrower, Kim Victor, Gina Woolley
2nd: Team Orange (Plett)
Candice McGuinness, Jane Schulz, Sue Moffett Harvey, Bev Van Schoor
That’s the Pam Golding franchisee photo bombing behind the ladies at the prize giving.
Men: 1st: Team Pilots
Siewert Wiid, Quinton Schaefer, Graeme Colliings, Pieter Jansen
And that’s a bottle of the famous Pam Golding red wine with the pilots
2nd: Team Mondrian
George Howard, Justin Howard, Atholl Trollip, Martin Zoghby
3rd: Team Pineapple (St Francis Bay)
Dane Michael Shaw, Tanton Dace, Stratton Stone, Justin Ackerman
(There isn’t really a third place, but there were two spare bottles of red wine, and their outfits deserved at least a shared bottle of wine!)
Well done and thank you to the many other teams who made a big effort. Not easy to adjudicate!!
Yet another Calamari Classic Pam Golding Best Dressed Comp on the 6th tee of the St Francis Bay Golf Course on Friday 25 September, the first of the three days for the 280 golfers!
Watch
All ready with braaied boerewors for the first fourball of golfers at the 6th tee at 6.45am .. and also watch the first 70 golfers drive off .. mostly over the water!
Watch
The weather was perfect until mid morning suddenly a westerly squall plucked our gazebo from the 6th tee, high into the sky, and it landed in the waterhole 50m away! Watch me retrieve it with a surfski and a rope!
Thanks to our team who “manned” our braai and refreshments station on the 6th tee from around 6am to nearly 6pm! Saria Blaauw, Amber Vorster, Dean Fox, Krystal Scott, Rachel Horne, Andrew Fox, and Richard Arderne
And especially Nobuhle Ndlovu and Gerald Klaasen who were there all day!
We missed now-bowler Lois Fox and vacationers Dot Stuart-White and Leandie Terblanche
Despite having most items in place the day before, we started carrying the boerewors and drinks at 5.30am on the day, and then it was non-stop until the prize-giving at about 7pm!
Normally there isn’t a stall next to us at the 4th green, but this year we had Turtle House, the JBay Cannabis Club, who were very friendly neighbours!
Albert Saunders provided his branded water as usual, and Ooba (who provide our bonds) supplied chips, sweets and other tit-bits!
Check out the gallery below for more fourballs who didn’t win but were very close! Also some pics of our team, mostly very early!
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