Nuclear surf Remote waves overridden by SA’s need for power
South Africa exists somewhere between the third and first worlds. Nowhere is this more evident than in the current energy crunch, as rolling blackouts have begun to drag the country back into the dark ages, a monumental cock up that has become an embarrassing international joke and economic setback.
Not even surfing has escape unscathed. Untreated overflow from dormant coastal sewages spills into the line-ups of some the country’s most popular breaks during the frequent power cuts. In reaction to the crisis, energy parastatal Eskom has pledged to build five nuclear power stations in sparsely populated areas. These will eventually disrupt pristine environments and cut off access or destroy at least five quality surf spots.
Of the waves threatened, three – a sweet right and two good lefts – are on the West Coast north of Elands Bay. Another is a fun right-hand point on the East Coast in the Southern Cape, and the other is a beachbreak at Oyster Bay, near Cape St Francis’ Bruce’s Beauties.
Outcry from the public and conservationists has been loud but ineffective, and the general feeling is that Eskom will build these plants wherever they like, no matter what environmental impact assessments conclude.
Surfers have also tried to mobilise but their efforts so far have come to nothing. Late last year a local surfing magazine tried to instigate a petition to object but, in a country of at least 50,000 surfers, it has received less than 300 signatories to date. The sentiment of most seems to be that because these are semi-secret or fickle out-of-the-way spots, they are not worth becoming vocal about, which is a shame as we’ll surely mourn them when they are gone.
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