Michelle Sky Hayward Swims Happily in ‘Sea Foam’ Unaware It Was Sewage

A refreshing dip in the sea turned into a nightmare for an influencer, who decided to take a dip in the warm ocean waters, never imagining she was cooling off in unsettling waters.

Michelle Sky Hayward, influencer, professional kitesurfer, and GoPro ambassador, decided to share a “dream” moment on social media from a beach in Cape Town, South Africa.

In the video, which quickly went viral, Michelle appears happily splashing through white bubbles and excitedly commenting on how “pretty” the foam surrounding her was. When a bit of the mysterious foam enters her mouth, she laughs and says, “It’s salty,” unaware of the surprise that awaited her.
Hours later, reality hit like a devastating wave. What Michelle thought was sea foam was actually fecal foam—yes, sewage. It was as if the ocean were playing a cruel trick. The area where she swam is known for being used for sewage drains that empty directly into the sea, creating a foam that, while “aesthetic” on camera, is far from healthy.

The scene, which had everything it needed to be a magazine cover, ended up being a reminder of the sanitation problems on some coasts around the world. Social media users were quick to react with memes, although they also pointed out the importance of getting informed before entering the sea on certain urban beaches.