Battlelines drawn at Jeffreys Bay as Jordy Smith bulldozes sand dunes to build private grassy knoll

Atmosphere at one-time surfer hippy utopia toxic, say locals!

The one-time world title contender Jordy Smith has fallen foul of Jeffreys Bay locals and the law after it was revealed he’d started clearing coastal dunes to create a gorgeous terraced lawn overlooking Supertubes, a wave which he is synonymous with. 

According to a report in South Africa’s The Sunday Times, 

“The municipality confirmed the work did not have the necessary authorisation though it appears (Jordy) Smith may not have been aware he was breaking the law.” 

The thirty-seven-year-old world number four had only recently bought into the famous area and was unaware, perhaps, of the “broader Jeffreys Bay tussle over development in the Supertubes and Surfer’s Point areas, which used to  be a pristine dune belt before the concrete mixers moved in.”

The Kouga Municipality, which deals with such things, had stopped all dune work in the area and after it was made aware of the work on Jordy Smith’s house “spoke to the contractor appointed by the landowner (and said) the work undertaken can’t continue and that there is specific authorisation needed for any work in that area.” 

Clearing dunes, stabilising dunes, whatever you say y’doing, is a grey area and one that’s being played out in beachfront homes all across the world as homeowners try and stop the inevitable and devastating effects of erosion. 

It don’t matter if you’re Jordy Smith, Kelly Slater or Freddy Pattachia and your joint is falling into the drink, councils, for the most, have adopted the mantra that beachfront houses have gotta be sacrifice to the climate change gods.

Back in Jeffreys Bay, locals say that home owners are gussying up their joints “under the guise of emergency dune work. The residents requested anonymity on account of a ‘toxic’ atmosphere and angry confrontations over the ‘rehabilitation’ work in a town once considered hippy surfer heaven.”

What is even more wild, I think, is how cheap it is to set up on the point there at Jeffreys Bay. Even a cursory stroll through the Jeffreys Bay shows bargain after bargain.

Like this four bedder with dazzling views of one of the best waves in the world for $650k.

South Africa has it problems, of course, but nothing a glass-strewn wall, sturdy security and a wall cabinet with automatic weapons lashed inside can’t solve.