surfers

From the pristine coastal stretch of Cape Vidal in KwaZulu-Natal to the Eastern Cape's famous Wild Coast, from the penguin colony of Boulders Beach to sun- drenched Camps Bay in Cape Town . South Africa has some of the most spectacular beaches in the world.

South African surfing star Jordy Smith narrowly missed out on the 2013 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title on Tuesday, falling to eventual winner Adriano de Souza by just 0.04 of point in the semi-finals at Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia.

South Africans Bianca Buitendag and Sarah Baum maintained their challenge for coveted places on the 2013 ASP Women's World Championship Tour when they finished fifth and ninth respectively in the Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro in California on Saturday.

Inspiring tomorrow's heroes is the sole mission of the RedCap Foundation, and as one its ambassadors, local surfer Greg Emslie will be doing just that when he competes at this year's Mr Price Pro Ballito.

South Africa is set to have its strongest representation yet at this year's Cannes Film Festival, with 130 of the country's filmmakers registered for the event, and the National Film and Video Foundation gearing up to showcase 20 local projects.

South African teenager Bianca Buitendag posted a massive score of 16.65 out of a possible 20 in the final to win the women's event in the CHIKO Pro Junior surf event in Newcastle, Australia on Sunday.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in the Eastern Cape is working on improving safety for all beach users and, in doing so, creating a safer environment for the elusive, shore-loving humpback dolphin.
• Centre for the protection of penguins

The Mr Price Pro Ballito will host the world's finest surfers in the wave-rich South African holiday town through 2014, thanks to a three-year deal inked between KwaDukuza municipality and world surfing's governing body, ASP International.

Through the Sea Pledge programme, now promoting marine and environment conservation across South Africa, citizens are encouraged to preserve not only the country's coastal waters and sea creatures, but its entire wealth of natural heritage.
• Research centre for African oceans

Twenty-five-year old Californian Patrick Gudauskas joined his brother Tanner as a Mr Price Pro Ballito champion when he lifted the title at Durban's Surfers Beach on the weekend to earn his first ASP Prime title.