We aim to address a proposed disconnect between science and the public. In this case, it is imarine meteorological information and the users of these data. Here, the focus is not only on the perceptions, usability and uptake of extreme event forecasts but rather on general, everyday situations. A survey was conducted in two Southern Hemisphere countries, South Africa and New Zealand, and subgroups within the communities (recreational and commercial users) were identified and elucidated.