Some of the world's top pro surfers will participate in a protest march Saturday against the proposed construction in South Africa of a nuclear power station that threatens to jeopardize some of the region's premier surf spots.
The surfers are already in South Africa, participating in the Billabong Pro at fabled Jeffreys Bay, which is not far from the proposed construction site at Thyspunt.The protest is not against nuclear power but potential ramifications stemming from a project that would entail pumping 6.37 million cubic meters of sand into the ocean, and digging tunnels for inlet and outflow pipes.
Opponents fear such a project would degrade not only surf spots but the local marine environment -- including the region's squid fishery -- caused by sedimentation and other factors. The project, some say, also would have a negative impact on tourism.
"The out-of-sight, out-of-mind attitude must stop now," said Australia's Mick Fanning, a former world surfing champion and a top contender this year on the ASP World Tour.
"If dumping sand on land is seen as a fatal flaw, why would it be OK to pump it into the sea? A development of this size on a stretch of coastline known for some of the best surf breaks in the world is unacceptable and it will cause massive damage to the environment."
Among other surfers scheduled to march with what is called the Thyspunt Alliance include nine-time world champion Kelly Slater and three-time world champion Andy Irons.
ESKOM, the company behind the project, believes it has found a suitable site based partially on criteria list that takes into account stable geology, acceptable population density and abundant water supply. It has already acquired the land but has stated on its website that "ESKOM has not yet sought approval from the relevant authorities to develop nuclear plants on any of these sites."
A second potential site is at Bantamsklip, South Africa.
-- Pete Thomas
Photo of Mick Fanning in action at J-Bay courtesy of © ASP / CESTARI
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