Kitesurfing champion Michelle Sky Hayward enthusiastically shared videos of herself swimming in what she thought was natural foam , until users revealed it was actually sewage laced with feces on a beach in South Africa.
South African kitesurfing champion and content creator Michelle Sky Hayward became a global trend after posting controversial videos on Instagram on July 8 showing her swimming and smiling amid what she identified as “sea foam” on a beach in Cape Town .
The joy was short-lived: dozens of users and environmental experts warned him that it was actually toxic foam generated by untreated wastewater, containing feces, chemicals, and bacteria that were dangerous to his health. Footage shows Hayward even accidentally tasting the foam when waves splashed in his face.
Health risks
South African health authorities confirmed that the area experiences recurrent discharges of untreated sewage , which generate:
- Foams with bacteria such as E. coli and enterococci
- Risk of skin, eye and digestive system infections
- Heavy metal contamination
Although Hayward deleted the videos following the controversy, copies are circulating online with warnings from marine biologists , who explain that natural foam is white and light, while contaminated foam is grayish, dense, and has a putrid smell.
Influencer’s reaction
So far, Hayward has not publicly commented on his exposure to the pathogen. Fans speculate whether he will require preventative medical treatment , as in 2022, surfers in the same area reported skin rashes and severe gastroenteritis.
This case revives the debate about the sanitation crisis in South Africa, where 60% of treatment plants have collapsed, according to Greenpeace Africa. Meanwhile, the video has surpassed 5 million views as an accidental warning about the dangers of coastal pollution.
