Ripple Effect gathering postponed – plan underway for even stronger event in 2026

Earlier this month, we had to make the tough call to postpone The Ripple Effect public gathering and paddle-out in Langebaan. This wasn’t an easy decision. The team had been preparing for months, and were looking forward to coming together with everyone who cares about the West Coast. But some last-minute challenges emerged that meant a safe and comfortable environment for participants could not be guaranteed.

Despite meticulous planning for several months, unforeseen last minute challenges around beach permits meant that the PTWC team could not guarantee the safety and comfort of participants at our Ripple Effect gathering on the beach in Langebaan.

We felt it was better to pause and regroup next year, which has given us opportunities to make positive changes to the format and content of the event. As our Managing Director, Mike Schlebach, says: “We know how much people were looking forward to this. It was a difficult call, but the right one. Everyone’s safety comes first, and this gives us the chance to come back even stronger next year.”

“We are working to hold a special Ripple Effect summit in early 2026 at a new West Coast venue, with more time to plan and prepare for something really special,” Schlebach says.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this event so far, especially the team at Re-Wild and David Harper in Langebaan. Your enthusiasm and commitment mean the world to us.

In the meantime, please help us keep up the momentum by signing and sharing our petition calling for a moratorium on new mining applications until a more strategic approach to managing the West Coast’s natural resources is put in place.

Sign Petition

https://mailchi.mp/protectthewestcoast/the-ripple-effect-petition

If you have not done so yet, you can also register on PTWC’s digital platform Ripl, which simplifies the Public Participation Process to enable people to easily monitor and comment on mining applications. Sign up to ensure your voice is heard.

Sign up to Ripl: www.ripl.co.za

Share the Post:

Related Posts

PTWC announces plan to create Africa’s first World Surfing Reserve on the West Coast

A collaboration between Protect the West Coast (PTWC) and the community of Elands Bay to apply for World Surfing Reserve status was revealed last week at the Save The Waves Film Festival in Cape Town. The designation provides for the protection of the ‘surf ecosystem’ and the environment and community around it, with measures to ensure responsible development that safeguards marine biodiversity, subsistence fishing, indigenous culture and ecotourism. Included is the vitally important Ramsar-listed Velorenvlei Estuary that feeds into the ocean at the surf spot.

Read More

PTWC Film ‘Out of Mined’ continues to make waves around the world

The Protect the West Coast (PTWC) film ‘Out of Mined’ continues to make an impact around the world and at home in South Africa, including the Richtersveld in the Northern Cape, whose Nama community features in the film as one of the worst affected by mining on the West Coast. The film, which was recently screened in Sanddrif, sparked an impassioned debate by community members about how to protect their heritage. ‘Out of Mined’ has also been selected for global film festivals, and will screen at major international conferences, such as the San Diego Climate Week in October.

Read More