- Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club lifeguards are set to ensure beach safety this festive season, with rigorous training completed for the summer.
- The club’s team, which includes new recruits, is committed to protecting beachgoers at Clifton beaches.
- Visitors are reminded to swim between flags and follow beach safety guidelines for a secure and enjoyable experience.
About 144 lifeguards attached to the Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club (CSLC) are ready to ensure beach goers’ safety this holiday season.
With the festive season just weeks away, the club recently concluded its summer season training.
Established in 1956, one of the oldest surf lifesaving clubs in South Africa, it aims to serve communities through the world-class delivery of water safety, drowning prevention and lifesaving sports programmes.
Teagan Thompson, the club’s head instructor, hailed the team’s commitment to high standards: “The CSLC instructing team had a busy off-season with three new lifeguard intake courses and two lifeguard upgrade courses. We also completed two IRB courses to upskill our existing members.”
Paul Lassen, the club’s duty patrol officer, said CSLC lifeguards will be on duty at Clifton beaches, from 4th to 1st Beach. He encouraged people to enrol as volunteers. “Prospective lifeguards will gain the skills to rescue people confidently in various open-water situations, provide life-saving medical care and master radio communication, signals and rescue techniques.
He said the benefits far outweigh having technical skills.
“We believe lifesaving is for life, and it is a lifestyle that we encompass. There is so much to offer; not only will you learn valuable skills that may one day save a family member, friend or member of the public’s life, but lifesaving encourages a healthy lifestyle, teaches one about the ocean and the surf and along the way one meets incredible people.”
According to Lassen, the skills learnt can be applied elsewhere.
“For younger members, the community work they do as voluntary lifeguards will help extensively when applying for university or jobs one day.”
Beaches with lifeguards
With the holiday season around the corner, Lassen encouraged the public to go to beaches with lifeguards on site.
“The most important thing for any beachgoer is to swim between the lifeguards’ flags. Lifeguards set up swim areas in safe parts of the beach to ensure everyone’s safety and because lifeguards will be constantly watching the swimming area where the flags are positioned.”
He said everyone had a role to play to ensure their safety.
“When going to a new beach, read the signs on the shore and ensure you are aware of where rips are, what the rules of the beach are, what the emergency numbers are and where to find the lifeguards.”
Lassen appealed to people to be responsible.
“Do not drink alcohol at the beach. The vast majority of the incidents we respond to involve people who were drinking alcohol and got into difficulty. Alcohol and the beach do not go well together.”
- If you are not a strong swimmer, do not go deeper than your knees in the water as any further the risk of being taken out by currents or strong surf increases drastically.
- If ever you are in a dangerous situation in the water remember to FLOAT TO LIVE.
- Stay calm
- Lie on your back with your arms and legs spread out.
- Try to wave or shout to the shore to attract attention
According to Lassen, those interested in becoming lifeguards must join a club and complete the lifeguard course.
“The LA/JLA qualification is a world-recognised qualification. The course usually takes about eight to 10 weeks and is a world-recognised qualification. Junior lifeguards need to be 14 or 15 years old, complete a 400 m pool swim in under nine minutes, a run/swim/run in the ocean in under 10 minutes and pass the JLA exam.
Lifeguards need to be over 16 years old, complete a 400 m pool swim in under eight minutes, a run/swim/run in the ocean in under 10 minutes and pass the LA exam.”
