Talk of the Town

Wrapping up Amanzi Challenge 🌊🥳🏄‍♀️Congratulations to all the winners of the competition and safe travels.

Kenton-on-Sea launch of the NSRI Survival Swimming initiative

The Kenton-on-Sea launch of the NSRI Survival Swimming initiative took place in the Kariega lagoon on Saturday November 11. Thirty six children aged 6-12 from Kenton, Ekuphumleni, Klipfontein and Marselle took to the water in groups of three to learn how to be safe and sensible in water. Specially trained volunteers got children submerging their faces, blowing bubbles, floating and turning over on to their backs – skills that are basic to surviving in water and are the building blocks of learning to swim. BUCO sponsored materials for the float rope that demarcated the closely monitored teaching area. Some Kenton residents underwent special training so they could work alongside NRSI volunteers to teach the programme. Coordinator and NSRI volunteer, Carol Mewse says this is the first Survival Swimming programme conducted in open water. More in Talk of the Town on 16 November 2023.

Day 1 of Amanzi Challenge at East beach, with surfing and bodyboarding, ‘rubber ducks’ on the Kowie river. Locals and some national competitors in the waters and Finals tomorrow 🥳🙌🏽 🏄‍♀️ #amanzichallenge #surfing #bodyboarding

My pond hotel hosted their annual Gala Dinner last night with this years theme “women empowerment”, a good turn out from Ndlambe residents and national guests, a beautiful performance from our local singer star Siyolisiwe.🎶 MyPond Hotel MyPond Stenden Hotel****

Underwater footage of the recovery of a vehicle that went into the Kowie River and recovered by Kowie Towing Port Alfred. Video courtesy of diver Jandre Terblanche.

A look into the last cattle sale of the year at the Bathurst Agricultural Showgrounds conducted by Hobson & Co 🐄🐮🤠

Makhanda celebrations after the Springboks win the Rugby World Cup 2023

Festivities outside the Rec hall in ALbany Road where there ws a big screen for the match, and then in New Street. Make sure you don't miss the special flag dance near the end!

“Sunny’s life has come full circle on this Earth” a heartwarming memorial paddle-out was held at Kelly’s beach for the late Graeme ‘Sunny’ Hill. 🌺🕊️

Paddle out tribute for the late Graeme "Sunny" Hill @ Kelly's Beach

NSRI SAFETY ALERT: The full moon Spring tide is now at its peak and will be for the remainder of this weekend and into the new week! And summer season is here … LET’S KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE We are appealing to everyone to adopt a Safety, Safety, Safety mindset in all activities this summer season. Do not drink alcohol and swim. Bathers at beaches swim where and when lifeguards are on duty between the lifeguard “safe swimming zone” flags - obey the lifeguards for everyone’s safety. Beach bathers, shoreline anglers, and coastal hikers be aware of two high tides and two low tides around the coast every day. Be aware of rip currents that can pull swimmers out to sea. During full moon and new moon “Spring tide” brings higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides that can cause stronger than normal rip currents. Swimmers at rivers, lakes, and dams swim with a floating aid for safety and visibility. (But do not let the floating aid blow you away from the shore in strong winds). Don’t venture too far from the shore. if you get tired in the water float on your back and don’t panic - fill your lungs with air to aid floatation and stay calm. Parents and caregivers ensure that responsible, sober adults supervise children while they are swimming in water or when they are around water. Wear bright clothing. (Especially children at the beach). Your swimming pool at home should be cloaked in safety. Boaters, paddlers and sailors – wear your life-jacket and download and always use NSRI’s free SafeTrx smartphone App when out on the water and know how to use your safety equipment - a referee whistle, red distress flares and cell phone fully charged in a watertight plastic sleeve. Always keep a responsible family member or friend updated with where you are going, your expected return time and check in on your safe return. In an EMERGENCY call: 112 or call NSRI EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE: 0870949774. Have Safety, Safety, Safety top of mind

Kowie Pigeon Racing Club Auction @ PA Country Club. Young birds of 8 weeks old. To be posted to Fish River Loft One where they'll be homed for race preparation.#pigeons #kowiepigeons #pigeonauction

“One last time” Port Alfred High School bids farewell to the Matric class on 2023, wishing them the best for their upcoming final exams🫡and journeys in their next chapter😁. Do you remember your valedictory day? 📚 Port Alfred School

The NG Kerk in Makhanda rang the bell at 5pm on Monday October 16 to celebrate Settlers Dam overflowing for the first time in around eight years. Congregation member Nico Barnardt rang the bell and minister strauss de Jager took the video.

G2C 2023, with great weather conditions, good turnout from participants and supporters from locals and from surrounding areas 🚵🥳🚴‍♀️!

Bathurst Pineapple Run. Finish at PA Country Club.

Kenton RHino Run 2023

The Kenton Rhino Run 2023 - starring the rhinos and some other very special celebs including the Good THings Guy Brent Lindeque and wildlife veterinarian Will Fowlds. More in Talk of the Town - out on Thursday.

A look into Stance4Charity event from this weekend, despite the “not so nice” weather conditions. Car enthusiasts came out in numbers and enjoyed themselves and all types of different cars. 🚗🥳🏎️

Conditions still rough on West Bank pier and along Ndlambe coastline at 6.10pm due to another Spring Tide. Tide pushing strong down in to the Kowie but Community Protection Services Deputy Director Fanie Fouche says not as bad as yesterday (Saturday). He says the tide will be pushing back shortly and the fact that wind has died down considerably helping matters. PA CBD not affected/flooded today so far, except for a small section towards Duckpond. CPS are monitoring the situation

UPDATE FROM NSRI SUNDAY SEPT 17 * NSRI and emergency services are on hifgh alert as the next very high tide (spring tide made higher by storm surges) starts taking effect from around 3pm and peaks 5pm to 6pm: * The NSRI says be vigilant, don't take risks and stay away from affected shoreline areas at these times. * These conditions are likely to persist through to Thursday. ORIGINAL POST: On the Pier at Guido's this am. It's pretty heady out there and nature's force reminded me to be extra cautious and not to take it lightly. PA CBD pretty much dried up after last night's flooding of some streets. Next Spring tide between 5-6pm so please be careful when close to the sea or river.

U13 Build It Soccer Tournament @ PAHS fields. 12 schools participating

Coastal weather warning from the NSRI (please put your audio on!)

RMB University Boat Race 2023: a seal's view

A seal's-eye view of some of the action on the morning of Day 3, Saturday September 9, of the RMB University Boat Race 2023. A focus on local teams Rhodes University men and women whose base was the Port Alfred River and Ski Boat Club. In the Men's A Division, University of Fort Hare pipped Rhodes Men to the post in the race for 7th and 8th positions. The Women's A Division final for 5th and 6th places saw Rhodes coming in ahead of WITS in a thrilling finish. The Rhodes supporters gave their teams a heroes' welcome.

Ending the boat races on a good note, students in good spirits on day 3 of the university boat races on Kowie River 🙌🥳🚣.

UCT broke their 22- year Cup drought and Tuks' decade-plus dominance in the Universities Boat Race 2023 edition by beating their Tuks rivals in an energy-sapping but scintillating race to the finish at Halyards-Tash's earlier today. They were met at Halyards by an excited welcome party after the finish at the Halyards boat anchor facility. Well done UCT and well-deserved. Hard luck Tuks whose rowing chairperson Emily Pollock says it is good to know that there is healthy competition in this age-old rivalry. University Rowing SA chair and UCT coxswain Sam James and his team was of course "over the moon".

Maties and UCT battle it out on the Kowie River

Maties and UCT battle it out on the Kowie River, Port Alfred, on Day 2 of the University Boat Race., 7-9 September 2023. Tomorrow's finals will be between Tuks and UCT.