With summer fast approaching, the East London Surf Lifesaving Club is calling on families to make water safety a priority as it prepares for another busy season at the city’s beaches.
The club will host its Surf Open Day on Sunday September 6, from 10.30am at Nahoon Beach, giving children and families an opportunity to experience surf lifesaving, learn important ocean safety skills and find out more about the club’s junior programmes.
Thandokazi Tese said the open day formed part of preparations for the club’s new season, which runs from October to April over the summer period.
“The open day is to allow any new juniors, high school kids, to come and register for the Junior Lifeguard course and for existing junior and senior lifeguards to register for their retest that must be done each year before they can sign up for duties at our beaches,” Tese said.
The event will also introduce children to the club’s Nippers programme, with families encouraged to discover how surf lifesaving can combine sport and adventure with essential water-safety education.
Tese said learning these skills from a young age was particularly important in KuGompo City, where children had easy access to beaches and rivers.
“We are surrounded by awesome beaches and rivers all around East London that our kids can have so much fun in,” she said.
“As a parent, you want to have that peace of mind that your child knows the risks of these waters and that they are learning how to enjoy them safely.
“It starts with learning to swim and knowing your limits.”
Through the club’s junior programmes, children are taught basic water-safety rules and important lifesaving signals, as well as how to identify rip currents and understand ocean behaviour.
Practical skills include duck-diving under waves, catching waves, bodyboarding and Malibu board skills.
Children are also introduced to basic first aid techniques, giving them knowledge that could potentially help them assist another person during an emergency.
Tese said the Surf Open Day was also designed to ensure children had fun while learning.
Families can expect swimming, bodyboarding and relay-style activities, as well as an opportunity for children to meet youngsters from schools across KuGompo.
Burgers will also be available for those attending.
The benefits of surf lifesaving extend beyond the water, with Tese saying the programme helps children build confidence and learn how to work with others.
“They become confident by gaining knowledge, learning new skills and knowing their strengths, weaknesses and limitations in the ocean,” she said.
Children are also placed into teams with youngsters from other schools whom they may not know, encouraging them to adapt, communicate and work together.
Despite the enjoyment associated with the beach, Tese warned that a lack of knowledge about rip currents and ocean behaviour could place people at risk.
She said families should also understand the purpose of lifeguards and swimming flags on beaches, while recognising the importance of children receiving proper swimming lessons.
Safety is prioritised during the club’s activities.
Most coaches are trained lifeguards, while children wear bright vests and skull caps so they can be easily identified in the water.
All participants also undergo a swim test to assess their swimming proficiency, while junior lifeguards on duty assist with water safety during ocean activities.
Tese encouraged parents who have never considered surf lifesaving to attend the open day and give their children an opportunity to discover a skill that could become a lifelong passion.
“If you want your child to learn a new skill that can become a lifestyle, then you must be there,” she said.
“If your child enjoys the beach and swimming in the sea, it could be a new sport they do for the rest of their lives.”
Developing young lifesavers is also important for the wider community, particularly in light of the busy summer months when beaches attract large numbers of visitors.
“This is extremely important for our community so that we have enough lifeguards on duty over weekends to watch over our beaches and beachgoers over summer,” Tese said. For teenagers, surf lifesaving can also provide a way to serve their community while creating potential employment and part-time work opportunities during school holidays, as well as opportunities to work overseas as lifeguards after completing school.
The club’s pathway begins with Nippers for younger children, followed by Nippets, Juniors for high school pupils aged 14 to 18, and then Seniors and Masters.
For the East London Surf Lifesaving Club, the message is clear: learning to enjoy the ocean safely can begin at a young age and develop into a lifelong skill.
Families interested in learning more are encouraged to attend the Surf Open Day at Nahoon Beach on September 6.
Registration inquiries can be directed to Wayne on 076-110-4169.
