MR PRICE PRO BALLITO BEACH WALKS

by Louisa Stranack

On the programme at the Mr Price Pro Ballito, held recently, were a number of beach walks. The one I went on was led by Dolphin Coast Conservancy committee member Peter Froude. He was assisted by UShaka volunteer guides, Patsy Demmers and Auret van der Merwe. Locals and holidaymakers alike, thoroughly enjoyed the walk along the beach from Willard’s Beach to Thompsons Bay.

As we walked, Peter explained why a big wave in 1954 caused much less damage than the one in 2007, where ruined buildings are still evident. One of the main reasons, he said, was development occurring so close to the shore.  Dunes and dune vegetation are good buffers and barriers, when the waves hit. Also where the dune vegetation acted as a barrier, damage caused didn’t take long to restore.

We also learnt that the shell-middens found on the rocks here are about 2000 years old. They are the remains of food, left by indigenous people that lived inland and came to the sea periodically to collect shellfish to eat. Maybe the first holidaymakers! And not strandlopers as were found in the Cape.

The children delighted in the various crabs and creatures, and collected treasures, while the adults learnt more about the rock formations and were shown coal deposits. The same deposits that are found along the beach here are part of the same seam that stretches as far as Newcastle, inland in our country but also far across the Indian Ocean in Australia, proving that the two continents were once joined together.

The dune vegetation is wet all year round here and is very lush, but somewhat stunted by the wind. We also saw vygies (good for blue bottle stings), gazanias, tick berry and waterberry trees.

I was intrigued by a limpid, clinging to a rock, farming his algae garden, fiercely guarding his territory.

It was a very informative, enjoyable walk.