by SFT | Sep 12, 2026 | St Francis
Jeffreys Bay Craft Brewery has become part of the town’s hospitality scene. The brewery reflects owner Bruce Tavenor’s love of engineering, brewing, surfing and Jeffreys Bay.
Building the Brewery
Tavenor’s brewing journey began in 1997 while working for South African Breweries as a process engineer and project manager. He studied brewing theory and helped develop the Fransen Street microbrewery in Chamdor.
Later, a holiday in Jeffreys Bay inspired a goal. He wanted to move to the town and open a microbrewery.
In 2016, Tavenor took over a surfboard factory. He spent two years transforming it into a brewery and taproom. By November 2017, Jeffreys Bay Craft Brewery had produced its beers.
Perseverance Through Difficult Years
Seasonal trade, drought, poor water quality, load shedding and COVID-19 tested the business. However, Tavenor continued his engineering work and kept improving the brewery.
“Don’t quit, never quit, never ever quit, don’t give up,” he says.
His engineering skills also helped him design and build the brewing equipment. Customer praise for the beer made that work worthwhile.
J-Bay in Every Beer
The brewery’s beers draw their names from local surf breaks and surfing culture. Supers, a light lager, is the bestseller. Captain Jeffrey’s Pale Ale offers citrus, litchi and fruity flavours. Meanwhile, Boneyards dark lager remains a favourite.
Tavenor brews small batches using specialty malts and hops. The beers ferment and carbonate naturally. They remain unfiltered and unpasteurised, creating a distinctive flavour profile.
A Local Meeting Place
Locals support the taproom, especially on Wednesdays and Friday afternoons. The venue also hosts functions, birthdays and wedding receptions.
Tavenor plans to add a Pilsner and Weissbier. Ultimately, he hopes to brew two days each week and surf for five.
Jeffreys Bay Craft Brewery is at 33 Jeffreys Street, Jeffreys Bay.
by SFT | Sep 12, 2026 | St Francis
Kouga Local Municipality is committed to keeping residents informed and prepared through its Weekly Water Safety Spotlight.
Every Friday, the municipality will share practical water safety advice, important reminders and useful updates. The information will help residents and visitors remain safe at beaches, rivers, swimming pools and other waterways across Kouga.
Follow the FLAGS
This week’s spotlight focuses on the FLAGS beach safety guide.
Always find the lifeguards’ flags and swim between them. Read the safety signs before entering the water, as they highlight possible dangers and changing conditions.
Ask a lifeguard for advice, especially when waves or currents appear strong. In addition, always swim with another person. Parents should supervise children closely whenever they are near water.
If you get into trouble, remain calm and raise one arm to signal for help. Avoid swimming directly against a current or rip. Instead, float and wait for assistance.
Important Safety Reminders
Only swim at patrolled beaches during daylight hours. Never run and dive into unfamiliar water.
Keep these emergency numbers saved:
- Any emergency: 112
- Ambulance: 10177
- Police: 10111
The Weekly Water Safety Spotlight will continue every Friday with advice to help build safer and more resilient communities throughout Kouga.
by SFT | Sep 12, 2026 | St Francis
Kouga Local Municipality has released its weekly roadworks and pothole repair schedule for the St Francis area. The work will take place between 11 and 19 September 2026.
Motorists should expect temporary disruptions in several areas. Therefore, residents should drive carefully near construction teams and follow all temporary road signs.
Weekly pothole repairs
Municipal teams will carry out pothole repairs in Palamos Avenue and De Jonge Thomas from 11 to 18 September.
Residents can report additional potholes to the Kouga Municipal Call Centre. Reports can be submitted via WhatsApp on 081 760 9183 or by calling 042 200 2200.
Accurate reports will help teams identify damaged sections and include them in future repair schedules.
Road refurbishment and resealing
A separate roadworks schedule will run from 14 to 19 September. The municipality will complete several forms of maintenance across St Francis Bay.
Cowrie Crescent will receive a slurry overlay. Teams will complete pothole patching, surface repairs and an asphalt overlay on Tom Brown Boulevard. Borrie Bend will also receive an asphalt overlay.
Meanwhile, pothole patching will take place in Cayenne Drive, Oyster Row, Tumeric Turn and Sea Glade. Contractors will prime Sunset Drive.
Vegetation clearing and surface repairs
Teams will clear vegetation and repair road surfaces in Diaz Drive, Cinnamon Street, Ramazini Road and Palamos Street.
The schedule also includes Esmaralda Road, Tiyus Street, Steenbras Street, Canal Road and Ibizia Crescent.
Motorists urged to take care
The municipality has asked motorists to limit road use in affected areas where possible. This will allow contractors to complete the work safely and efficiently.
Temporary road closures may become necessary. Motorists should observe all road markings, reduce their speed and follow instructions from workers on site.
Read more: Discover the Shipwreck Museum in St Francis Bay
by SFT | Sep 12, 2026 | St Francis
St Francis Bay has its own Shipwreck Museum, although many residents and visitors are still unaware of it.
by SFT | Sep 10, 2026 | St Francis
Press Release
For immediate release
10 September 2026
Surfing: Lepront and Wiersma Form South African Contingent for Rip Curl GromSearch International Final
South African surfers Leah Lepront and Carl Wiersma will compete at the 2026 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final covered by Sun Bum.
The prestigious event will take place in Narrabeen, Australia, from 7 to 10 November 2026. It will bring together 16 of the world’s best under-16 surfers.
Lepront, from Scottburgh, and Wiersma, from Port Alfred, earned their places by winning the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel. The South African event took place during the 2026 Port Alfred Easter Festival.
Both surfers are currently in El Salvador as members of the South African team competing at the 2026 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. The event has given them valuable international competition experience ahead of Narrabeen.
Rip Curl GromSearch International Final
“Carl and Leah are two outstanding South African junior surfers, and we wish them all the luck in Narrabeen,” said Rip Curl South Africa CEO Stuart Daykin. “We are immensely proud of their achievements and are confident that the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final will be another important step in their development as surfers”.
Carl Wiersma from Port Alfred © Kody McGregor/WSL
Narrabeen Confirmed as Host Venue
The Rip Curl GromSearch International Final moves to a new destination each year.
Narrabeen follows Hossegor, France, which hosted the event in 2025, and Canggu, Bali, in 2024. The return to Australia marks the first time the country has hosted the International Final since Bells Beach in 2023.
“We’re so stoked to bring the International Final back to Australia, and Narrabeen couldn’t be a better stage to showcase the world’s best up-and-coming talent,” said Rip Curl Sports Marketing Manager Angus Forrest.
“The Rip Curl GromSearch has been a launching pad for some of surfing’s biggest names, with former champions going on to win World Titles and Olympic medals.
“It’s a huge opportunity for these young surfers to compete on the international stage while sharing an unforgettable experience with other surfers from all over the world.”
Scottburgh surfer Leah Lepront © Kody McGregor / WSL
A Proven Platform for Young Surfers
Rip Curl GromSearch has been running since 1999 and has an impressive record.
More than 60% of the surfers on the 2026 WSL Championship Tour are former GromSearch winners. Five of the six surfing medallists from the past two Olympic Games also competed in GromSearch events.
The past 19 WSL women’s world titles have been won by former GromSearch finalists.
Past winners include Caitlin Simmers, Caroline Marks, Gabriel Medina, Erin Brooks, Brisa Hennessy, Samuel Pupo, Leonardo Fioravanti, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Owen Wright and Mason Ho.
The Narrabeen International Final will be broadcast live and free globally on the Rip Curl YouTube channel.
The Rip Curl International GromSearch is proudly covered by Sun Bum and supported by Ritual Vision and Fatboy Bikes.
ENDS
Complimentary high-resolution images are available to media outlets.
Rip Curl GromSearch media enquiries and photo requests
Craig Jarvis
Email: craig@truthcollective.co.za
Tel: 082 376 4443
Rip Cur South Africa: Website Facebook Instagram
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