Page 55 - KBHA BULLETIN 4

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trippers enjoyed those boat rides over the New Year period but also over Easter time. As far as I

know never did anybody fall overboard even though the boats’ decks were packed. The main
reason for that was that no one under the influence was allowed to come aboard because those

skippers knew that it could be disastrous. Just a few trips would occur after 6 or 7 p.m.

Crowds with families would start leaving the beach at 3.30 to 4.00 p.m, also having bought some
fish from the harbour. The station would be packed and so would the trains, leaving scores of

people waiting for the next train.

Scores of young people would also go up the mountain to climb and also to pick sour figs or

walk on Boyes Drive, and also ‘make use’ of the mountainside as there were no more than 12 -

15 toilets in the pavilion to serve the thousands of people on the beach. Those walkers and
climbers would then again come for a last dip or boat ride before going home.

Many, many fortunate children who had family in Kalk Bay would come and spend a few weeks

with them and have the rest of the year to tell their school friends about their exciting holiday -
even if they only stayed in the Steenberg - Retreat part of the Cape Flats.

All of our people living on the Cape Flats were poor, so the majority came to Kalk Bay as no
other beaches were available except a small portion at Glencairn and Simon’s Town Longbeach,

but they were not half as exciting as Kalk Bay with the boat-rides, fishing boats, and the
mountain.

Kalk Bay was and still is very popular with mothers bringing kiddies everyday during summer

school holidays because St. James beach has limited space.

On many of these important holidays with huge crowds some inexperienced swimmer would

have a problem while swimming from beach to harbour, or vice versa. This sometimes happened
twice or three times in one day, but many young fishermen would always be around to rescue

and save their lives as they were good swimmers. I have already witnessed three young men

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