22 Blue Flags for Garden Route beaches

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route proudly boasts 22 Blue Flag beaches for the 2023/2024 season, despite the impact of the severe storm event in September that washed up tons of sand and debris onto beaches and caused infrastructure damage along the coast.

In George, Herold's Bay, Victoria Bay and Wilderness Beach will be flying the Blue Flag this season; Victoria Bay for the first time.

The other beaches in the district that have been granted Blue Flag status are as follows:

Knysna - Brenton-On-Sea and Buffalo Bay;
Bitou - Robberg 5, The Waves, Nature's Valley, Lookout, The Dunes and Singing Kettle;
Mossel Bay - De Bakke, Hartenbos, Little Brak, Santos and Glentana;
Hessequa - Witsand, Preekstoel, Lappiesbaai, Jongensfontein, Gouritzmond and Stilbaai-Wes.

Blue Flag pilot sites

George has also qualified for Blue Flag pilot status at Leentjiesklip and Mossel Bay at Tweekuilen and Suiderkruis beaches.

Marinas

In the category for marinas, Thesen Island and Thesen Harbour Town have been granted Blue Flags.

The Blue Flag announcements and certificate handover took place at the annual award ceremony of the Wildlife and Environment Society of Southern Africa (Wessa) on Friday 20 October at Salinas Restaurant in Wilderness. It was hosted by George Municipality. Delegates from various coastal municipalities attended.

Green Coast awards for George and Bitou

George and Bitou also received the Green Coast award for the first time, respectively for Gwaiing and Nature's Valley.

Wessa CEO Helena Atkinson said the Blue Flag beaches and Green Coast programme are not just about flying a flag or meeting a set of criteria. "It represents a commitment to environmental sustainability, conservation and education. It is a symbol of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve our coastal ecosystems, ensuring their vitality and beauty for years to come."

To qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. She said the Blue Flag and Green Coast programmes would not be possible without the support of local communities, businesses, environmental stewards and volunteers.

She praised George Municipality. "It has set a shining example for municipalities across the country in its dedication to protecting and nurturing the coastline."

The importance of the Blue Flag designation, particularly for international visitors, was stressed by George Mayor Leon van Wyk. "They understand the quality status of a Blue Flag beach. We firmly believe it adds to the quality of the experience that our tourists will enjoy while they are visiting our area."

The Blue Flag event was concluded with a demonstration of a new high-tech drone that George Fire Services acquired to assist in emergencies, whether at sea or on land.

Flood damage

Asked what impact the September storm damage had on judging, Blue Flag programme manager Tevya Lotriet said the damage took place after the evaluation process was completed.

Where damage will not be repaired in time for the start of the season in December, full status was withdrawn and pilot status awarded instead. "Onrus beach in Overstrand is an example of this - the beach was badly hit, and the municipality will not be able to repair damages by the start of the season."

Regarding Herold's Bay, Lotriet said George Municipality is busy with the procurement process and will have all damages fixed by the start of the season in December. "They are extremely committed to complying fully with the Blue Flag criteria. All sites that were hit by the storms will be closely monitored as we approach the start of the season. If repairs are not possible by the start of the season, we will consider withdrawing the Blue Flag."

Chantèl Edwards, George Municipality's communications chief, confirmed that all the storm damage at beaches under its jurisdiction is being repaired prior to the festive season.

Dr Debra Roberts Anderson (left), national jury member of the Green Coast programme from Keimouth, and Wessa CEO Helena Atkinson with George Mayor Leon van Wyk after the drone demonstration.