Inspector Clueless WITH a Map – by Tilley the Accidental Tourist

DID you know that the tide never gives up? Talk about persistence… waves in, waves out. Sometimes high, sometimes low. But always there.

Just like that bunch down at South Coast Tourism. Wow, I think they should be rebranded as the Duracell beach bunnies. Up in the sky, playing in the hinterland, down on the beach, attending every event (of which there are tons), hosting larny people… and running in circles with the deluge of work they seem to be creating for themselves. Why oh why don’t they just chill out a bit?

I guess it must be because they love what they do. And they love the place so much they want to make sure everyone else does. We all remember the epic film Finding Nemo right? Perhaps Nemo means paradise in fish language, or maybe Nemo is an undercover sardine agent, as I hear echoes of his name being called through the passages of the tourism office.

I just happened to pop in because my map (the awesome Southern Explorer) was starting to look as if it had been dumped by the waves a few times too many and then chewed a bit by my trusty dog, Thugosaurus Rex. But I digress. And no I wasn’t looking for Nemo, but perhaps this whole Sardine ‘greatest shoal on earth’ frenzy has started something in the office.

Seems it’s a big time of the year for everyone. Getting a clearer picture, I reckon I can guess why Nemo’s name echoes now. Are the sardines going to pop in for a visit this year? Are 700 000 000 silvery little silver fish, followed by hundreds of dolphins, sharks, seagulls and all things, well fishy, are going to grace the shores of the stunning South Coast? Are we going to find Nemo?

So what’s the hype about?

Scientists say that in order for the sardines to run the water temperature has to drop to 21º C and lower, and if that doesn’t happen the sardines simply don’t run. So you can appreciate that the Sardine Run is very much a hit and miss affair yet year in and year out, divers and ocean enthusiasts mark this as a calendar event, a bucket list must do to witness the ‘greatest shoal on earth’.

What more can be said about the sardine run? This spectacle has been filmed, photographed and relentlessly researched yet we know so little. Each year an unbelievable feeding frenzy takes place in the oceans of South Africa as billions of sardines migrate up the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

The diversity of animals associated with the annual sardine run is staggering. Among the players are hundreds of copper sharks, dusky sharks, blacktip sharks, thousands of gannets, thousands of common dolphin, hundreds of bottlenose dolphin.

Also to be seen are hundreds of humpback whales and the Bryde’s whales. Many species of ray also follow the sardines, as do many bird species. Penguins and seals are frequently encountered. A great diversity of fish predators travel with the Sardine Run’ and take advantage of this feasting opportunity.

And just in case the water is a little too warm, there are still plenty of reasons to visit the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast during June and July. The event calendar in action packed with marathons, beach activities, music festivals and fishing competitions.

For fitness freaks – the Powerade Sardine Marathon and Walk takes places at the end of June and the Burry Stander Sardine Super Classic MTB in the first week of July down at Port Edward Holiday Resort. The Sardine three day golf tturnament takes place in the middle of June,  as does the Island Tribe Scottburgh Surf Classic.

And for those wanting a touch of culture – be sure to attend the Umgubho Wezintombi Maiden Ceremony in Kwanyuswa and the not to be missed Ugu Jazz Festival on the 28^th June. And that’s not all – check out the calendar on www.tourismsouthcoast.co.za to make sure you are not missing out.

So whether the Sardines are going to run this year is still a question that remains, however what is certain is that you cannot afford to miss out on all the fun and festivities that the South Coast has to offer during these warm winter months. The KwaZulu-Natal South Coast is truly a 365 day a year destination. Now that you are intellectually well fed, back to Nemo.

Well, turns out after all that Nemo is not a sardine in disguise but an apparently semi-reliable source of oceanic information. His sidekick Dory tends to be a bit forgetful but she is a very wise little fish, so let’s not exclude her from the equation.

So will the sardines run this year in June and July, or perhaps even August? Nemo is dodging the question a bit however has is reported to have said in his last press conference ‘I am optimistic that the greatest shoal on earth will indeed swing past the South Coast this year’.

Let’s hope he is right. So whilst we wait with bated breath (no silly, we don’t put bait in our mouths – shew, this English language is complicated) – let’s follow Dory’s advice – just keep swimming…. just keep swimming….

See you in Paradise.

So until we meet again, get your people to call my people. 0800 FINDME. Erratum: marketing@tourismsouthcoast.co.za

Signing out,

Inspector Clueless WITH a map aka Tilley the Tourist.