Riding the Waves of Memory: Ryle De Morny on Ocean Healing and ‘Top Billing’

Sitting in the sunlit lobby of a Simon’s Town hotel, the Atlantic stretching in every shade of blue before me, I felt a rare collision of past and present. Across from me, Ryle De Morny—the same energetic personality South Africans remember from their TV screens—leaned back in his chair, smiling as penguins shuffled across Boulders Beach. This wasn’t just an interview; it was a moment of living nostalgia.

De Morny had just wrapped filming for the much-anticipated Top Billing reunion special, which sees him rejoin co-presenters Jonathan Boynton-Lee and Fezile Mkhize. For those who grew up watching the show, Top Billing wasn’t just about luxury lifestyles—it was an aspirational window into South Africa and the world, inspiring countless viewers to dream bigger.

More Than a Reunion: Rediscovering South Africa’s Coastlines

This 2026 special takes the trio along the country’s stunning beaches, some recently recognized in the newly launched Corona Beach 100 guide, which ranks global beaches with a Michelin-style “Sun Rating.” Locally, Kraalbaai scored the highest three-sun rating, while Boulders Beach, Camps Bay, and Nature’s Valley received nods for their natural charm.

For De Morny, the beaches aren’t just scenery—they’re deeply personal.

“Growing up, I was never exposed to the ocean,” he shared. “In our culture, it’s often a place of fear. You don’t learn how to swim; you see it as dangerous. It wasn’t until I discovered lifesaving as a kid that I started to see the ocean differently.”

He recounted how it took three years of persistence to pass his swimming test. The triumph, he says, unlocked more than just a skill—it unlocked a love and respect for the ocean.

“The ocean went from something to fear to becoming my playground,” he said, eyes twinkling. “It taught me about confronting fear, learning new skills, and finding freedom. Lifesaving taught me not just about protecting others, but about respecting the ocean and the life within it.”

Therapy in the Tides

Over the years, surfing and lifesaving turned the ocean into a sanctuary for De Morny. Now, he’s on a mission to share that transformative experience.

“The ocean is therapy,” he said. “It’s a space to conquer your fears, to liberate yourself. That’s what this reunion and the Corona Beach 100 campaign are about: encouraging people to embrace the magic of South Africa’s coastlines.”

The campaign also seeks to challenge lingering cultural fears around the ocean. Many South Africans grow up with cautionary tales, leaving them disconnected from the very coasts that could inspire joy, freedom, and adventure.

Brotherhood, Nostalgia, and Full-Circle Moments

Watching De Morny, Boynton-Lee, and Mkhize interact, it’s clear the magic of Top Billing extends beyond the cameras.

“Fez and I started our journey during Presenter Search,” De Morny reflected. “We went through intense moments together, and now, years later, here we are again, with Jonathan guiding us. It’s like coming full circle.”

For him, the reunion isn’t work—it’s presence, memory, and celebration.

“We’re not just celebrating Top Billing. We’re celebrating the ocean, the beaches, and the memories they create. South Africa has some of the most incredible coastlines in the world, yet many locals haven’t explored them. This show is a chance to inspire people to change that.”

A Call to Explore and Connect

As our conversation wound down and the waves lapped gently at the rocks, De Morny’s passion for the ocean and its power to heal lingered. It’s a reminder that Top Billing’s legacy isn’t just about glossy homes or faraway travels—it’s about connection: with people, with nature, and with oneself.

“There’s something magical about this moment,” he said. “The Corona Beach 100 celebrates the same things we’re highlighting: slowing down, connecting with nature, and embracing the beauty around us.”

In that moment, it was impossible not to feel inspired. The ocean, with its vastness and rhythm, had not only shaped De Morny but promised to inspire a new generation of South Africans to dive in, both literally and metaphorically.

Source: IOL

Featured Image: Men’s Health South Africa