Latest news with #EndlessSummer
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Hydrangeas are in full bloom – here's where to see them
As summer sets in, hydrangeas bloom in brilliant shades of blue, pink and lavender across Korea, drawing flower enthusiasts and tourists alike to gardens and nature parks across the country. Known for their large, lush petals and various hues, hydrangeas reach their peak from early June through July. From central Korea to the southern coast, here are three hydrangea-viewing destinations that offer not just floral beauty but immersive seasonal experiences: Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden, Yulbom Farm and the poetic and secluded Manhwa Secret Garden. Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden Located in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden is the largest hydrangea garden in Korea's central region, spanning over 43,000 square meters along the scenic Yugu Stream. The garden boasts 22 varieties and more than 54,000 hydrangea plants, including Enamel, Endless Summer, Pink Annabelle and Mophead hydrangeas. The garden features flat, easy-to-navigate walkways, making it accessible for all ages. Pastel-colored hydrangeas bloom most densely behind the garlanded area near Yugu Bridge, which has become a popular photo zone. Even after peak bloom, the dried petals offer a unique aesthetic that adds to the garden's charm. In June, the garden hosts the annual 'Gongju Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Festival,' now in its fourth year. This year's events extend beyond the garden itself to include the nearby Yugu Traditional Market, highlighting local culture through performances and themed activities. The festival kicks off on Friday with the 'Jeong Eui-song Hydrangea Song Festival,' featuring 15 performers selected through a preliminary contest. On Sunday, acclaimed poet Na Tae-joo takes the stage in a musical poetry concert titled 'Songs That Became Flowers, Hearts That Became Poems.' Folk, jazz and Korean traditional music performances by local artists are scheduled throughout the festival period. The garden also offers a luminous experience by night in the Yugu Saekdong Moonlight Garden, with light installations that enhance the dreamlike ambiance. A night market-style food and drink venue, the Hydrangea Night Pocha, adds flavor to the evening events. 'This is more than just a sightseeing event,' said Gongju Mayor Choi Won-cheol. 'It is a meaningful festival that combines the region's nature, culture and the pride of our local residents.' Yulbom Farm, quiet garden for flower enthusiasts For those seeking a more serene, low-key escape, Yulbom Farm in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, offers a more intimate hydrangea-viewing experience. The private botanical garden is not widely promoted on social media, meaning it is still a hidden gem for those looking to enjoy flowers without the crowds. As early June brings the first whispers of summer, hydrangeas in gentle shades of lavender, pink and sky blue cover the landscape. Unlike traditional parks, Yulbom Farm blends agriculture, nature and art into a cohesive experience that lives up to its name — 'Yulbom,' or "the quiet spring." The garden is known for its intentional simplicity. Carefully planned plantings, clean walking paths and subtle artistic installations create a harmonious atmosphere. But it is the understated presence of the flowers like watercolors softly blending into the landscape that leaves the strongest impression. More than a garden, Yulbom is a certified Rural Art Theme Farm, offering educational programs using seasonal produce. Children can learn about ecology through hands-on farming experiences, while adults find a peaceful retreat from urban life. Manhwa Secret Garden, living canvas of hydrangeas in the south In the foothills of Byeokbangsan Mountain in Goseong County, South Gyeongsang Province, lies the Manhwa Secret Garden — a 330,000-square-meter sanctuary named after the phrase 'Manhwa Bangcho,' meaning 'a place of 10.000 flowers and fragrant grasses.' Founded in 1997 by garden director Jeong Jong-jo to offer solace to city dwellers, the garden now features over 200 varieties of hydrangea, 700 species of wildflowers and 66,000 square meters of wild tea fields. Designed with minimal artificial alteration, trails follow old animal paths and the landscape flows with nature's contours. The garden's Hydrangea Flower Road is its crown jewel, where the flowers stretch as far as the eye can see. A hydrangea festival runs through July 13, showcasing the full bloom of these vibrant flowers. Despite the stunning scenery, Manhwa retains a 'secret garden' quality — it was once known only through word of mouth and has only recently begun receiving public attention. Visitors can explore wildflower fields, a natural rock garden, a small pond filled with yellow lotus blooms and shaded trails lined with cedar and hydrangeas. Traditional clay houses serve as spaces for rest and even natural dyeing workshops, while giant wooden totems mark the entryway to the garden's more rustic areas. Climbing higher toward the summit of Byeokbangsan Mountain, visitors are rewarded with views of the East Sea and an experience that feels more like wandering an old village hillside than a manicured tourist attraction.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
18 Fast-Growing Shrubs That Quickly Transform Your Yard
If you are eager to see fast results in your landscape, planting a fast-growing shrub is the answer. A shrub is considered fast-growing when it adds between 2 feet to more than 3 feet of growth per year. There is no shortage of choices, from fast-growing bushes for a privacy hedge, evergreen shrubs that provide year-round color in your yard, or flowering shrubs with gorgeous blooms in the spring or summer. The growth habits of the plants vary, too, ranging from low-lying shrubs to small trees that can be shaped and pruned to suit your space. Whether you live in Texas with its hot summers and mild to cool winters or anywhere else in the South, there are different options for fast-growing shrubs. Many of them are tough and withstand extreme weather events. Here are 18 shrubs that put your landscape on the fast track. Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia spp. Sun Exposure: Full Soil Type: Loamy, clay, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-8.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9 Growth Rate: 24 inches per year While there are a variety of crepe myrtles to choose from, most fall within the shrub or small tree category. They are easy to grow and produce interest in the garden all year long, from long-lasting clusters of pink, white, or red blooms that start in June to their exfoliating bark in winter, the true calling card of this Southern classic. Expect lots of growth when given proper growing conditions. Once established, crepe myrtles only need water about once every other week. Learn More Botanical Name: Hydrangea macrophylla Sun Exposure: Partial Soil Type: Moist, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-8.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9 Growth Rate: 24 inches per year The French hydrangea, also known as bigleaf hydrangea, is a showstopping shrub. The profuse blooms, either mopheads or lacecaps, come in a wide range of colors (and you can tweak their color by altering the soil acidity). For a continuous bloom all summer, select a repeat-blooming variety such as 'Endless Summer' that will flower on both old and new growth. Plant in well-draining soil amended with organic matter, and give them enough water so the top few inches of soil remain moist. Hydrangea is toxic to humans and pets. Learn More Botanical Name: Ligustrum x ibolium Sun Exposure: Partial, full Soil Type: Moist, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-8.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8 Growth Rate: 3 feet per year One of the fastest growing shrubs on this list, north privet matures rapidly to a height of up to 8 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. Its appearance is characterized by a pyramid-like shape and glossy, dark green leaves. Plant this low-maintenance, fast grower as a privacy hedge. Pollinators are attracted to its fragrant white flowers. Beware of confusing north privet with its invasive cousin, Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense). Botanical Name: Weigela florida Sun Exposure: Partial, full Soil Type: Loamy, clay, sandy, moist, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (5.5-7.5) USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9 Growth Rate: 13-24 inches per year While not the fastest grower on this list, weigela shrubs are still a good choice for dense growth and relatively quick spread. They reach their mature size within a few growing seasons. Bell-shaped, rosy pink flowers appear throughout April and May. Though a location in full sun ensures the best foliage color, weigela also does well in dappled sunlight. Botanical Name: Forsythia x intermedia Sun Exposure: Partial, full Soil Type: Moist, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-8 Growth Rate: 24 inches per year With upright, sometimes arching branches and a cloud of yellow blooms that flower on last year's wood, the forsythia is an iconic sight in the South. It will grow in a rounded shape and reach a height of 8 to 10 feet when mature. If you're looking for a smaller variety, opt for a more compact form such as Show Off® Sugar Baby®. Forsythia withstands some drought and tolerates clay soil if it is amended with organic matter. Botanical Name: Linnaea amabilis (previously Kolkwitzia amabilis) Sun Exposure: Partial, full Soil Type: Clay, loamy, sandy, moist, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-8.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8 Growth Rate: 24 inches per year Best suited for the Upper South, the beauty bush is beloved for its abundant pink flowers that attract bees and hummingbirds and complement the deep green foliage. Plant it as a focal point in the landscape or as a stunning hedge. When mature, it reaches between 6 to 10 feet in height and width. Beauty bush is resistant to drought and deer, and it tolerates clay soil. Full sun produces more flowering, but partial shade brings out more vibrant foliage color. Botanical Name: Vitex agnus-castus Sun Exposure: Full Soil Type: Well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9 Growth Rate: 24 inches per year These large, rounded shrubs or multi-trunked trees need plenty of room to grow as they mature at three to 20 feet tall and wide. They feature grayish-green leaves and fragrant panicle blooms in shades of white, pink, blue, or lavender. It is drought-tolerant and grows in sandy or rocky areas. In Zone 6, chaste tree may die back to the ground in winter but resprouts in the following growing season. Chaste trees attract lots of pollinating insects and birds. Learn More Botanical Name: Viburnum opulus Sun Exposure: Partial, full Soil Type: Loamy, clay, sandy, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (5.0-8.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8 Growth Rate: 24 inches per year This most recognizable of viburnum varieties grows up to 12 feet tall or more with a spread of 12 to 15 feet. While not an extremely fast grower, snowball viburnum is very attractive with clouds of flowers that appear in May and look similar to mophead hydrangea. The flowers also make good cut flowers. In fall, the leaves turn red-orange. Snowball viburnum prefers moist, loamy soil that is well-drained but tolerates other soils. Learn More Botanical Name: Melaleuca spp. Sun Exposure: Full Soil Type: Moist, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-11 Growth Rate: 3-6 feet per year This fast-growing shrub got its name from the shape of its colorful flowers, which grow as dense spikes or round clusters in red, pink, yellow, or white that attract hummingbirds. The size and growth habit depend on the species, some bottlebrushes are dense and compact, lending themselves to be grown as informal hedges, whereas others are sparse and open and can be pruned into a small tree. What all bottlebrush varieties have in common is their fast growth rate. The plant does not tolerate waterlogged soil but it is moderately salt-tolerant so it is a good choice for coastal gardens. The evergreen foliage gets easily damaged by frost. Learn More Botanical Name: Ternstroemia gymnanthera 'Sotall' Sun Exposure: Full, partial, shade Soil Type: Rich, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.5) USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-10 Growth Rate: 18 inches per year Cleyera Bigfoot™ is a favorite for hedges and privacy screens due to its fast-growing nature and appealing, glossy evergreen foliage. These upright growers are low-maintenance and provide year-round color. The shrub reaches a height of 15 to 20 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. In hotter climates, they need afternoon shade and tolerate full shade. Botanical Name: Buddleia 'Blue Chip' Lo & Behold® Sun Exposure: Full Soil Type: Clay, loamy, sandy, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-8.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9 Growth Rate: 24 inches per year Due to its invasiveness, butterfly bushes are no longer recommended. 'Blue Chip' butterfly bush, however, is an exception because it does not produce seeds. The fragrant, star-shaped flower clusters do not require deadheading and provide a pretty counterpoint to dark green leaves. Eight hours of full sun each day ensures more flower production and strong stems that don't require staking. Learn More Botanical Name: Callicarpa americana Sun Exposure: Full, partial Soil Type: Loamy, clay, moist, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.0-7.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10 Growth Rate: 13-24 inches per year This fast-growing native shrub has year-round appeal. Pale purple or pink flowers burst forth in the summer months, turning into tiny, bright purple berries in fall and winter. The berries attract a wide variety of winter birds and other wildlife to your yard throughout the season. If you're looking to up the berry production, consider planting beautyberry en masse. Full sun will increase flower and berry production. Beautyberry bushes need pruning to maintain their shape and watering during dry periods. Botanical Name: Loropetalum chinense Sun Exposure: Full, partial Soil Type: Rich, loamy, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (4.0-7.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10 Growth Rate: 6-24 inches per year The evergreen shrub features green foliage on arching branches and spidery flowers that appear both at the top of shoots and between the shoot and leaf (known as the leaf axil) in color ranging from off-white to pink. Opt for loropetalum to bring color and texture to your garden early in the spring when other flowering shrubs haven't yet begun their show. Water when there hasn't been adequate rainfall to keep the soil slightly moist, but don't overwater because they don't like wet roots. Learn More Botanical Name: Prunus laurocerasus Sun Exposure: Full, partial Soil Type: Well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (5.5-7.5) USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10 Growth Rate: 24 inches per year Cherry laurel is a popular shrub in the South, oftentimes used for hedges. While it grows up to 20 feet tall, it can be maintained in a smaller size if needed. Spiky, white flowers appear in mid-spring but are sometimes be hidden behind the glossy and elongated foliage. Black berries appear in the fall for an interesting encore. Cherry laurel isn't super picky and will tolerate dry, poor, and alkaline soils, salt, as well as heavy pruning. It is toxic to humans. Botanical Name: Syringa vulgaris Sun Exposure: Full, partial Soil Type: Sandy, clay, moist, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (6.5-7.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-7 Growth Rate: 13-24 inches per year Common lilac will start off as a fast grower, tapering off as it nears maturity. You might catch a whiff of lilac before you catch sight of its fragrant, lilac blooms that appear in April and May. While it's always tempting to try lilac in warmer climates, lilac is not suited for the hot and humid conditions of the lower South; these shrubs prefer cooler summer temperatures. Full sun is best for good flower production, and well-drained soil is essential to prevent root rot. Botanical Name: Cornus sericea Sun Exposure: Full, partial Soil Type: Clay, rich, moist, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.5) USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-8 Growth Rate: 24 inches per year Ideal for the Upper South, this native dogwood shrub is the outlier in a family of otherwise slower-growing species. It's a great choice both for its resiliency and versatility whether as a true shrub or hedge. Once mature, it will reach a height of 7 to 9 feet and 10 feet wide. Red twig dogwood likes consistently moist areas so it should be watered during dry spells. Botanical Name: Thuja 'Green Giant' Sun Exposure: Full, partial Soil Type: Clay, loamy, moist, well-drained Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline (6.0-8.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-8 Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year These shrubs live up to their name, maturing at up to 40 to 60 feet tall and 12 to 18 feet wide. They are low maintenance due to a uniform, pyramid-shaped growth habit and need little pruning. 'Green Giant' can be shaped into a hedging or privacy screen when young. Glossy, scale-like needles remain green all winter long. Plant in a location with good drainage that gets six to eight hours of sun. Botanical Name: Spirea spp. Sun Exposure: Full, partial Soil Type: Sandy, clay, moist, well-drained Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0) USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8 Growth Rate: 24 inches per year Spirea is easy to grow because it adapts to many different soil types, doesn't require special care, and grows quickly. Give the shrub full sun, though it will also grow in some shade, and don't let the soil get soggy. Pink or white flowers emerge from blue-green or chartreuse foliage that changes color in the fall. Prune after the spring bloom and enjoy a rebloom later in the summer. Read the original article on Southern Living
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
We Evolved From Jiu-Jitsu Strangleholds To Empowering Locals
Costa Rica has been known to surfers for decades, going back to the 60s, but ever since the early 90s, when the country decided to really emphasize the importance of their natural environment and embrace eco-tourism, it has thrived and become a model for countries around the world. Many visitors were so well impressed and taken by the natural beauty and way of life that they decided to move there themselves. In recent years this has caused concern, especially in some communities, as the mostly wealthy visitors have changed the very fabric of the place with extravagant homes and a tendency to think that they have every right to call the shots. Lo siento chicos, no es asi. The following article is the first part of the story of Surfistas Locales by Tara Ruttenberg Ph.D., about a group of local instructors who work together to ensure their own livelihoods and homes are respected. Portraits by Roselle Knaus. Unpopular opinion: "The locals are always right." Costa Rican surf instructor and style master Tavo Rio says it with a broad smile, his lean body tan like cinnamon, and shirtless beneath the breezy shade of the coconut palms. 'Twenty years ago, Santa Teresa was just trees. Now it's full of buildings. It used to be five or ten of us in the water. Now it's a hundred every day, maybe more.' We're at the south end of the stretch of beach break he's been surfing since he was a kid. Before paved roads, electric lines, development. Before surf tourism really became a thing. As we're all uncomfortably aware, Tavo's story is unfortunately not unique. Gringo surfers show up with Endless Summer dreams on their tropical horizon. Sleepy-fishing-village-turns-busy-surf-town seemingly overnight. Bars. Cafés. Surf camps. Yoga resorts. Backpacker hostels. Luxury vacation villas. All predominantly foreign owned. Speculative real estate markets pushing land grabs for the ultra-wealthy. Inflation and inequality. Local cultures marginalized and native families edged out of town. All that fucking trash. Famously, Steve Barilotti named this ubiquitous phenomenon 'surfer colonialism in the twenty-first century.' In Costa Rica, local surfers call it coastal gentrification, where native families are priced out, towns transform rapidly, and paradise becomes a playground for the wealthy. In popular surf towns the fabric has become markedly non-Costa Rican, with the majority of coastal businesses owned by foreigners – upwards of 80 percent, in fact, in the popular northwestern region of Guanacaste, according to the Tamarindo Integral Development Association. In Playa Jacó, one of Costa Rica's original surf tourism destinations-turned-surf city by the sea, gentrification and foreign investment have transformed the coastline and cultural landscape dramatically since the 1990s. Jacó native, Juan Calderón, is an architect, surf instructor, entrepreneur, and newly appointed municipal government advisor whose grandfather was among the original town founders. Juan owns and runs a surf hostel out of his converted family home in the heart of Jacó, where we chat over coffee, roasted right in his backyard. 'As tourism towns grow, the cost of living gets more expensive for the community. Price inflation on rental property displaces native Costa Rican people who find everyday life more and more difficult to afford.' Juan pauses for a sip, cleans the lens on his glasses, fondles his beard. He looks astutely professorial, save for the six fresh stitches adorning his upper lip – a surf accident, he says. 'Sure, tourism brings some jobs and opportunities for a certain sector, but many local people are being affected by the incredibly high cost of rent and property. Since Jacó has become a destination focused on tourists, the international prices here are much higher than the reality of the costs that locals and natives can pay.' Juan's family coffee company, Bohío, borrows its name from the thatched roof mud-floor huts his grandparents built and lived in as farmers and fishermen prior to the arrival of tourism. We flip through the worn pages of a photo book made for his family as a gift from one of Jacó's early visitors, with images of the undeveloped coastline in the 1970s. A far cry from the many high-rise hotels, casinos, condo buildings, and shopping centers lining Jacó's main drag today. Overdevelopment, rent inflation, and an increasingly high cost of living aren't the only impacts of coastal gentrification in Costa Rican surf towns. Livelihood access and job security have become serious issues confronting local surf tourism workers, as many foreign-owned businesses hire other foreigners and pay them under-the-table wages to evade taxes and worker benefits required by Costa Rican law. In the surf tourism labor market, safeguarding jobs for local surf instructors has become something worth organizing for. Enter Surfistas Locales, a national network of Costa Rican surfers and surf instructors promoting the local surf industry and advocating for stronger regulation and enforcement against foreign tourists working in the country as surf instructors without legal work permits. Surfistas Locales co-founder Mauricio Ortega Chaves started the first surf school in Tamarindo in 1996, and celebrates the Costa Rican surf industry as a 'blessing for the community. It's helped the community grow and families feel supported, because before the industry existed here there wasn't much work. It was hard to survive. So, it's an industry that locals have to protect for the benefit of local communities.' It's late morning on New Year's Eve, and peak tourist season slaps hot and heavy across lounge chairs and candy-striped beach umbrellas, migrant vendors pushing five-dollar coconut water. 'Tis the season. Between fielding phone calls and slinging surf lessons, Mauricio spills the tea on Surfistas Locales' origin story, complete with jiu-jitsu strangleholds and neighborhood vigilante visits intended to remind disrespectfully loud-mouthed tourists that localism is very much alive and well in pura vida-landia. 'That's how the engine of the movement started. To tell people that when you enter a country, you need to respect [the locals]. We created a mission and a vision for Surfistas Locales so it wouldn't become a nation-wide gang, because that would have been very dangerous.' As it's evolved over the past few years, Surfistas Locales has become an informal organization, network and movement to connect and empower locals in surf towns across the country. They've sponsored the installation of 'Our Rules' signs at popular surf spots to communicate acceptable norms of surf etiquette, including 'respect the locals' at the top of the list, as well as 'hire a local guide if you don't know how to surf' and 'be humble, don't destroy our pura vida'. Visiting surfers: consider yourselves forewarned.
Cision Canada
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Cision Canada
Canadian Olympic Champion Summer McIntosh Launches Specially Formulated Hair Care With Po Athletic
Endless Summer is all-natural gentle shampoo and conditioner that is made for the demands of athletes TORONTO, May 15, 2025 /CNW/ - Po Athletic, Canada's first natural skincare company with products formulated for demands of athletes and the active, has officially launched Endless Summer, a new all-natural athlete's shampoo and conditioner. Co-developed by Olympic and world-champion swimming sensation Summer McIntosh, both products are made in Canada using the highest quality, pure ingredients. "There are so many ways athletes, like me, are hard on their hair, whether that's sun, sweat, daily washing or chlorine," said three-time Olympic champion swimmer, Summer McIntosh. "It has been fun to work with Po Athletic to develop a shampoo and conditioner that is gentle enough to use daily and gives me smooth, shiny, healthy hair no matter what I'm doing." Endless Summer uses all-natural, gentle ingredients, along with the addition of two ingredients clinically proven to strengthen and thicken hair: ChomaVeil TM and caffeine. Other active ingredients include glycerin, sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate (derived from sugar cane) and lauryl glucoside (derived from coconut) and jojoba esters. "Summer brought incredibly valuable insights into the development of Endless Summer shampoo and conditioner," said Chris Brachman, co-founder of Po Athletic. "Her experience helped us create a product that athletes of all levels can use to have great hair while protecting it from the elements." Endless Summer is developed and made in Canada. The shampoo and conditioner both come in recyclable 100ml aluminium tubes in a recycled kraft box. Po Athletic's line of products currently include a facial cleanser, after workout wipes, muscle recovery gel and natural deodorant. Now adding Endless Summer, all products are formulated to support the skin, hair and body care needs of the people who enjoy an active lifestyle and spending time outside. Whether outside or in the gym, Po Athletic formulates products protecting against high UV index, dust, pollution, sweat, chlorine and other elements in mind. For more information about Po Athletic and Endless Summer, including to purchase, visit Photos can be found here. About Po Athletic Po Athletic is a Canadian company dedicated to developing high-quality, high-performance skincare products designed to meet the unique needs of athletes. Their formulations prioritize natural and scientifically proven ingredients to enhance performance and support recovery. About Summer McIntosh Summer is a once-in-a-generation athlete. She was Canada's youngest Olympian in Tokyo at 14 years old. At 17, she captured the world's attention and the hearts of a nation winning 3 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Just months later, she set 3 World Records and won 3 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal at the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Budapest. She was the winner of 2 Gold and 2 Bronze medals at the 2023 World Championships in Japan, and 4 Gold, 4 Silver and 2 Bronze at the 2022 World Championships and Commonwealth Games. In 2024, Summer was named the World Aquatics Female Swimmer of the Year. She also won the Northern Star Award as Canada's Female Athlete of the Year and was named the 2024 Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year.
The Citizen
22-04-2025
- The Citizen
Living the dream
From corporate communications to conservation champion For 40 years, Matt Gennrich gave his life to Volkswagen South Africa, rising to the position of general manager in charge of communications before his retirement in 2018. Waving goodbye to Uitenhage, he moved to Cape St Francis where he owned a holiday home. Few people know anything about Cape St Francis, which is just over 100km from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), other than that it is home to the 'perfect wave' immortalised on film in the classic 1966 surfing documentary Endless Summer. It is in fact one of three villages – the others being Port St Francis and St Francis Bay – that make up Greater St Francis with Seal Point constituting the southeasternmost tip of Africa. The coastline is dotted with shipwreck sites with over 60 vessels foundering between 1690 and 2024 over the 110km stretch from Storm's River Mouth to Shark Point. There are also four small nature reserves that together cover 250ha of coastal habitats that range from beaches and salt-stunted vegetation to fynbos, thickets and small patches of true dune forest (milkwood and candlewood. They are the Irma Booysen Flora Reserve and the Seal Point, Seal Bay and Cape St Francis Nature Reserves. ALSO READ: The stuff of nightmares Restoring nature, One reserve at a time Gennrich, by his own admission, has 'always loved going to the bush' and over the years has owned a series of fully kitted-out Volkswagen California camper vans. However, it was only with retirement that he came to appreciate the natural gems on his doorstep. Gennrich made contact with the perennially cashstrapped Friends of St Francis Nature Areas (known as Foster, He suggested they up their communications game if they wanted to attract the funding to turn the reserves into local and tourist attractions. 'They told me to put my money where my mouth was,' he says wryly, 'and I became actively involved… so much so that I've been the chair for the past three years.' The organisation gets no funding from government but donations from the private sector and individuals have increased to the extent Foster has been able to employ members of the local community to maintain facilities such as pathways and remove alien vegetation. The latter includes rooikrans (coastal wattle) and bitou bush, which is an aggressive – albeit attractive – coastal weed that effectively chokes other plant life. 'It's amazing how quickly these species return when the bitou is removed. Many of them leave bulbs in the ground and, with just a bit of rain and sunlight, they start sprouting. Thanks to Foster's efforts, which include regular beach cleans, the St Francis dune system flourishes and the exquisite beaches are pristine.+ NOW READ: Waves, walks, wrecks and wine St Francis is an Eastern Cape gem
