💪🍖 Muscles and Mouthfuls - We’re Covering All the Good Stuff

This edition of the Hermanus Scoop is all about balance - rebuilding strength with the expert team at Nelia Harding Biokinetics, then rewarding your senses with a sneak peek at the flavours soon to be served at The Kitchen Door. And because we love a little extra, there’s more local news, tips, and treats tucked inside.

👋 Hello Hermanus – and well done to the Kleinriver - you got there in the end!

We’re serving up a perfect blend of wellness and indulgence this week - because in Hermanus, balance is everything. From rebuilding strength and mobility with the expert team at Nelia Harding Biokinetics, to a first taste of The Kitchen Door, Gabriëlskloof’s brand-new wood-fired restaurant led by the incredible Chef Jen Ward, there’s plenty to keep both body and soul happy.

In this week’s Scoop, we’re bringing you:

💪 A look inside Nelia Harding Biokinetics - where movement meets recovery and peak performance
🔥 Your sneak peek at The Kitchen Door - Gabriëlskloof’s exciting new dining destination, fuelled by fire and flavour
📅 Plus… other local events, happenings, and foodie finds you won’t want to miss

Let’s dive in.

- The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. Got a friend who loves local stories as much as you do? Send them to hermanusscoop.co.za to join the fam - it’s free and it’s lekker.

🏡 Property of the Week - Presented by Greeff Properties

Looking for ocean views or a mountainside retreat?

Each week, we spotlight a standout listing that captures the unique charm and lifestyle of the Overberg. From ocean-view escapes to tucked-away treasures, these are the homes that inspire imagination - and maybe even your next move. Brought to you by Greeff Properties, trusted specialists in exceptional real estate across the Overberg.

Designer Home in Prime Oceanview Location

With sweeping ocean views and quick access to the famous Cliff path, this residence - positioned on a 1,247 m² level plot in one of Westcliff’s most sought-after coastal locations - commands wonderful vistas with its landscaped gardens and tranquil setting. Exquisitely renovated, this residence and fully independent guest wing, are both finished to the highest European standards. This residence delivers an array of relaxed living areas, inside and out.

The large windows and open layouts that flow between indoor and outdoor spaces with natural ventilation and sunlight, showcases views of the ocean, with the occasional cruise ship that can be spotted from the sunroom. The beautiful imported German flooring, laid in a classic herringbone pattern in the living areas, gives a modern yet classic look, The Carbel wood-burning fireplace ensures comfort throughout winter in the open-plan entertaining areas.

View the property in full.

Business Feature of the Week: Nelia Harding Biokinetics

Keeping Hermanus Moving

From world champion athletes to grandparents chasing their grandkids, Nelia Harding is proving that strength is for everyone. Her Hermanus practice combines cutting-edge measurements, personalised plans, and a passion for community - helping locals recover, move better, and build lasting strength for life.

Sometimes the best life decisions come from unexpected twists. For biokineticist Nelia Harding, that twist began in Cape Town, where she ran her own practice for six years before meeting her husband. They dreamed of raising children somewhere calmer than the city, so they stored their belongings in Hermanus while planning a year of travel.

What was meant to be a brief six-week stop turned into something much bigger. After three months in Bali learning to surf, the couple returned to Hermanus and realised they’d fallen in love - not just with the sea and mountains, but with the village atmosphere and sense of community.

“It felt like Bali in a way,” Nelia says. “A small, friendly place where people greet you by name and you quickly feel part of something.”

They bought a house, started a family (now with two beautiful children) and Nelia opened her new practice: Nelia Harding Biokinetics.

So what exactly is biokinetics?

It’s exercise as medicine. Nelia works with people from all walks of life - helping someone recover from knee surgery, guiding an athlete to peak performance, or keeping a granny strong enough to play with her grandchildren. Each client follows a personalised plan based on detailed measurements of strength, range of motion, and progress over time.

“We believe everyone has the potential to become stronger than they’ve ever been,” Nelia explains. “Our job is to give people the tools to move well - not just today, but for the rest of their lives.”

Her clients range from locals looking to ease everyday aches, to professional athletes. She’s currently working with Tristan Roberts, two-time bodyboarding world champion, and several young soccer players preparing for European trials. She also runs strength and conditioning classes - including one designed especially for mature women to stay strong as they age.

A common problem she sees?

Pain from overuse - especially in recreational athletes who push too hard too soon. “Sometimes it’s not about doing less,” she says, “it’s about getting strong enough to handle what you want to do.” Strength training, she adds, doesn’t have to mean heavy weights - it can be as simple as isometric exercises or targeted movements to build neuromuscular strength.

Nelia’s Hermanus favourites

• Perfect day: Run or hike in the mountains, surf at Kammabaai and end off at the Hermanus Country Market.

• Favourite eateries: Brood (“their winter soup is delicious and the service is so personal”) and Hopside Down.

• Hidden gem: Breakfast Bay - a quiet beach where she loves to run and swim with her German Shepherd.

Whether you’re training for a race, managing chronic pain, or just want to keep moving well as the years go by, Nelia’s mission is clear - to help you build strength, confidence, and a healthier future right here in Hermanus.

📍 Find out more: neliahardingbio.co.za

🍖🥘 A Taste Of Things To Come: The Kitchen Door at Gabriëlskloof opens 20 August

The secret is out! Chef Jen Ward is opening her new wood-fired restaurant, The Kitchen Door at Gabriëlskloof on the 20th of August.

We got an exclusive first taste of what’s to come - and all we can say is it was a tasty experience!

It’s definitely worth the drive to get out there when you get the opportunity to go and we can’t wait to come back for another taste.

Bookings are now open here!

🍷 Wine of the Week

We’ve teamed up with a few mysterious ghost writers who know their way around a wine glass. Each week, they’ll be sharing a local wine review straight from the heart of the valley.

What’s in your Glass (14.08.2025) 

Our feature wine for the week - Cap Maritime, Coastal Chardonnay 2023

Under the watchful eye of Marc Kent (known to be a maverick spirit; Boekenhoutskloof’s Managing Partner & Technical Director) and wingman Godfrey Mocke, the Boekenhoutskloof portfolio has sorn in recent years. Apart from their own wines that carries the Boekenhoutskloof name, they also boast with famous brands such as Porseleinberg and Chocolate Block.

One of their latest developments is Cap Maritime in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. First vintage dates back to 2017 (grapes bought from the valley) and only two years later was land acquired between Bouchard Finlayson and Newton Johnson. Havin’ cycled past the new vineyards a few times in recent months, I must confess - they are looking slick!

The Coastal Chardonnay (the “easier” of two different styles of Chardonnay) came about during the 2021 vintage, when the opportunity came about for winemaker, Godfrey to work with various vineyards in the Overberg and Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge appellations.

I recently enjoyed the 2023 vintage (current vintage is 2024). Standing at a mere R190 on the shelf, better quality is hard to find. Totally over-delivers at the price point.

The wine was youthful, complex and had an incredible focus (apologies for the big words!) Perfumed with white stone fruit and citrus blossom, the wine is supported by creamy texture on entrance, balanced citrus mid-palate (think grapefruit) that lingers on into a zesty clean finish.

Perfect wine for sipping at leisure when we have those summery days in the middle of winter!

93/100

📆 What’s On in Hermanus

The middle of August has a lot to offer:

Thursday | Hermanus CC vs Stormers Rugby Handicap Match 🏏
🗓 Thursday, 14 August · 15:00 📍 Hermanus Cricket Club - 20 Overs vs 12 & 14 Overs. 25 Stormers vs 11 Hermanus Cricket Club players.

Saturday | Hermanus ParkRun 🏃 
🗓 Saturday, 16 August · 08:00 📍 Hermanus Forest, Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley - Start your weekend with a scenic 5km trail run (or walk). Free to join - just register online at parkrun.co.za.

Saturday | Benguela Cove ParkRun 🏃 
🗓 Saturday, 16 August · 08:00 📍 Benguela Cove, R43, Botriver Lagoon, Hermanus - Start your weekend with a scenic 5km trail run (or walk). Free to join - just register online at parkrun.co.za.

Saturday | Hermanus Country Market 🌿 
🗓 Saturday, 16 August · 09:00 - 14:00 📍 Hermanus Cricket Club - Artisan stalls, live music, food, fresh produce and a family-friendly vibe - a staple Saturday outing for locals and visitors alike.

Saturday | Sip & Paint ☕️
🗓 Saturday, 16 August · 10:00 📍 Mikro Coffee - Join us for a morning filled with fun and creativity. Your first coffee is on us and all materials are included! R250 per person - only 10 spots available. Book with Wilna- 082 744 7664

Saturday | Springboks at SkyBar 🇿🇦🏉
🗓 Saturday, 16 August · 17:00 SkyBar - The 2025 Rugby Championship kocks off with South Africa hosting Australia on Saturdsay. Catch all the action live at SkyBar!

Sunday | Dricus du Plessis Live Viewing at Bossa 🇿🇦
🗓 Sunday, 17 August · 05:00am Bossa - Watch Dricus du Plessis take on Khamzat Chimaev. Doors open at 5:00am. Early start, big fight energy!

Next Week | Civitas First Founder’s Breakfast 📈
🗓 Thursday, 21 August · 08:00 📍 Venue to be announced - Civitas is South Africa’s private network for high-growth CEOs and founders — and we’re thrilled to announce that our Hermanus chapter launches on 21 August with a connection-driven Founder's Breakfast. RSVP to save your seat:* 👉 https://lu.ma/hermanusaug25

Next Week | Cape Winelands Bodyboarding Boogie Fundraiser 🏄‍♂️
🗓 Saturday, 23 August · 16:00 - 21:00 📍De Wet Saal / Onrus - Help get our local CWB team to the SA Champs in Durban. Live music, sokkie, team tie ceremony and raffle prizes!

Next Week | A Night At The Symphony 🎻
🗓 Saturday, 23 August · 18:00 📍Hermanus Civic Auditorium - Join us for a symphonic journey that will move your heart and uplift your spirit. Tickets available here.

On the Horizon | Overberg Business Lunch 🏄‍♂️
🗓 5 September · 13:00 - 17:00 📍The Kitchen Door at Gabriëlskloof - Professional Networking Event to Connect Tech, Innovation, and Business Leaders in the Overberg Region. Featuring International Speakers. Tickets are R370 per person. RSVP here.

🎓 School Term Update

Some quick highlights from across our schools:

Hermanus High School
Interschools are still underway this week until 16 August. Full programme here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/b76df42212.html

Curro Hermanus
🎵 Curro Cantare Choir Festival – 20 August 2025 at 18:30 in the Hennie Mentz Hall. Tickets: R95 pp via Quicket.

Hermanus Primary Sports Day
16 August at Noord-Eind Laerskool (sponsored by Seeff & Food Lover’s Market) and Cross Country Boland – Saturday, 16 August in Paarl

Talent night – 14 August at the school. Tickets available via D6.

🌬️🌦️ Hermanus Weather Update: 14 - 20 August

The Overberg’s slow turn toward spring continues - bright spells stretch a little longer, and the crisp mornings feel less insistent. There’s still a touch of rain in the mix, but this week promises more light than shadow, more open skies than closed doors. Think of it as a gentle rehearsal for the warmer days ahead.

Here’s what the days ahead look like:

⸻

Thursday 14 August
Bright with a cool edge. 🌥️ A partly cloudy day with a high of 15°C and low of 9°C. Winds steady at 7 m/s, easing to 4 m/s. Just enough chill to justify an extra layer.

Friday 15 August
Soft rain to sunshine. 🌦️ Light showers in the morning (0.8 mm) giving way to clear skies. Temperatures between 15°C and 10°C. Winds start at 6 m/s, dropping to a calm 2 m/s.

Saturday 16 August
Clear and lively. ☀️ Warmest day so far at 17°C, low of 9°C. A gentle breeze at 9 m/s in the morning, fading to 3 m/s. A good day for the coast - or the market.

Sunday 17 August
A steady smile of sun. ☀️ Clear skies with highs of 16°C, lows of 9°C. Winds calm at 3 m/s in the morning, barely stirring at 1 m/s by evening.

Monday 18 August
Mild and mellow. 🌤️ Sunshine with a high of 16°C, low of 9°C. Light winds at 5 m/s dropping to 2 m/s. Ideal for slow outdoor starts.

Tuesday 19 August
Hints of warmth. 🌤️ Mostly sunny with a high of 18°C, low of 10°C. Winds steady at 5 m/s. A taste of spring’s intent.

Wednesday 20 August
Rain returns briefly. 🌦️ 6.1 mm of showers spread through the day. High of 16°C, low of 11°C. Winds at 7 m/s easing to 1 m/s.

So whether you’re chasing the sun on Saturday or listening to Wednesday’s rain from the warmth of your kitchen, remember - Hermanus knows how to keep its days interesting.

Here’s to watching the light linger.

🦐 Restaurant Specials:

Here are some of the best deals from all over town for you to enjoy during the coming week:

Spotted in the Overberg: Photo of the Week

Each week, we feature one special snap submitted by someone who calls this place home. From misty morning walks to playful pups on the beach - we want to see what you see.

And here’s the perk: every featured photographer gets a free flat white on us - in partnership with Molo Coffee. So send in your best shot to [email protected], and you might just sip your way to local fame.

That’s a wrap for this week’s Scoop!

Stay warm, stay dry, stay curious and we’ll catch you next week!

- The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. Got a story, sighting, or scoop to share? Drop us an email at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you.