Port Alfred surfer Carl Wiersma and fellow South African Leah Lepront will compete at the 2026 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final covered by Sun...

The Boknes Padstal Christmas Market drew scores of patrons – many of them visitors – to its  stalls on Wednesday December 20. The market which operates every quarter, might have been in existence  for only 16 months but, according to coordinator, Trudie Botha, by all accounts is doing a roaring trade. Among the offerings for interested patrons were collector's knives, hand-crafted jewellery and accessory items, sweets, biscuits, Indian delicacies, clothes and leather products.  Compared to other periods, December is always busier because of the festive season crowds, said Botha. However, organisers have been pleasantly surprised as to how brisk trade has been during other parts of the year.  The market had its humble beginnings in an idea by...

Port Alfred surfer Carl Wiersma and fellow South African Leah Lepront will compete at the 2026 Rip Curl GromSearch International Final covered by Sun Bum. The prestigious event will take place in Narrabeen, Australia, from 7 to 10 November 2026. It will bring together 16 of the world’s best under-16 surfers. Kowie Boardriders Club member Carl Wiersma and Leah Lepront, who is from Scottburgh, earned their places by winning the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel. The South African event took place during the 2026 Port Alfred Easter Festival. Both surfers are currently in El Salvador as members of the South African team competing at the 2026 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Junior...