If I lived in SA, that might be an issue. Fishermen are always looking for new holes, preferably ones without crocs.
Our largest concern in San Diego would be the Great White shark. I know you South Africans have them too.
Attacks are very rare, but we have lost a few surfers over the years. I've actually fished for shark (not Great White) so I won't go more than waist deep. It's not good to tempt fate.
Funny how we fear the larger things, no one ever considers smaller invaders @inalittlewhile always have had respect for the oceans, jelly fish, blue bottles the whole nine yards.
Haha. We had to take out a Widow that was nesting on our patio a couple days back. You're pretty safe in the surf, though I know what you mean. We rarely get the man-o-war, but they did come up with the last el nino. I saw a couple whole specimen off the kelp beds and they were huge! Over 8 feet in length. They would die and break up into bits that would still sting you in the surf. I've been nailed by stingrays 3 times. No fun, but it does help one appreciate nature.