KIDD’S BEACH NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2024

Summer has seemingly overcome its customary stage fright and the last vestiges of a protracted winter seem, finally, to lie behind us.  

The Southern Right Whales, have ended their annual (June to November) visit to our shore line and made their ponderous way south to feed in the nutrient rich sub-Antarctic waters, for the duration of the southern summer. These amiable behemoths will soon be replaced by an incursion of considerably smaller – but no less welcome – mammals, as the annual influx of returning holiday visitors; annual semi-locals and newly liberated scholars swells the Kidds Beach village population for yet another season of fun, relaxation and festivity.

Even after a 50 plus year personal association with Kidd’s Beach, the allure of a summer holiday season in this unique and special destination has never diminished. Having witnessed the inexorable metamorphosis from a motley assortment of homely holiday dwellings with the obligatory “long-drop” toilets (regularly serviced by two stoic worthies in a donkey cart) to the thriving, vibrant village of modern times, I have always marvelled that the essential character of this fantastic community remains unchanged. There is simply no other place like it!  

Over the years I have many great memories of infantile fishing for “bullies” in the rock pools under the long-suffering supervision of a parent who (with the wisdom of hindsight) would probably have far rather have been doing anything else; graduating to targeting blacktail and stone bream in the gullies under the mentorship and (accompanied by the obligatory unbridled applause for any successes) of the same parent; culminating in the rewarding pursuit of bluefish, pig-nose and kob at many of the tried and trusted local spots. The progression finally completing the full circle as one assumed the role of long-suffering parent / mentor and ghillie to a new generation of aspiring anglers.

The beach has always been the focal point of Kidds Beach holidays and played host to generations of swimmers, sun worshippers, sand castle construction afficionados and surfers – the latter encompassing everyone from the sun-block-basted juvenile, diligently waxing his inflatable lilo (in a desperate attempt to emulate the old hands) to the Kelly Slater “wannabes”, happy to share their expertise (and the break) with the novices.

Social life for a child during the summer, has always centred around a programme of entertainment – at one time the domain of the ubiquitous “Uncle”  Billy Van Vuuren, a megaphone-wielding local legend whose strident voice was synonymous with summertime at Kidds. This has become a community driven project with a full array of holiday activities, to suit most tastes. There is simply no excuse for boredom!

The transition from this phase invariably led to beach parties and social activities, many of which centred around the old Kidds Beach Hotel, manned successively by local stalwarts Henry “Dearboy” Cowan and Kit Mannheim. Although the hotel (now a church and old age care centre) has long since been consigned to the annals of Kidds Beach folklore, the  characters and stories are indelibly etched in many of our memories. Social activities in the modern era, tend to be concentrated around the Tea Room and the Kidds Beach Bowling and Social Club – at either of these venues you will not remain an outsider for long.

Visitors to Kidds Beach, in recent months, will have noticed the increased volume of commercial shipping, transiting our waters – a consequence of the Yemen-based Houthi Rebel activity in the Red Sea / Gulf of Aden region and the sporadic (seemingly indiscriminate) missile attacks on passing vessels. Ship owners, cargo shippers and charterers alike would rather route their tonnage around the Southern tip of Africa, and incur a nine day delay (with associated fuel costs), than take the far more economical Suez Canal route between the Asian and European ports. The increased traffic density becomes even more obvious during a sustained period of strong south westerly winds. South-bound vessels then tend to move well inside the hundred fathom line (200 meter depth contour), where they would ordinarily seek to harness the assistance of the following Agulhas Current. This inshore routing enables the prudent Master to avoid the precipitous SW’ly swell (and occasional “freak Waves”) associated with a protracted period of strong winds pushing up against the current.  

It has been said that one stores up good memories as “firewood” to keep you warm in your old age. With another Summer season on our doorstep, may this be a fruitful season for the gathering of your own personal firewood.  – Stay Safe.

           Authour: Anonymous