FOR the last 21 years, Norman Rielly has led the Umhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club (Rox) with honour and distinction.
The local resident, who is president of the club, recently spoke to Northglen News about his passion for lifesaving and his vision for the club going forward.
Rielly’s lifesaving career started in Gqeberha with the Summerstand Lifesaving Club.
“I’ve always loved the sport and the lifestyle. The open water, the outdoors and the physical competition were huge draw cards for me. It has kept me going for almost 52 years in the lifesaving world. Growing up in Jeffreys Bay you couldn’t help being drawn to the water. I did play other sports but lifesaving was my first love. I competed at both the provincials and the nationals and was close to getting my South African colours at one stage,” he explained.
Speaking on achievements of the Umhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving, Rielly said he was proud of how far the club had come.
“I served as chairman of Rox for two years and as president for the last 21 years. Like any club you go through your ups-and-downs. There was a time when we went through a waning membership phase but in the last few years, thanks to the leadership of long-time members, Mike Rodda and Paul Bergset, the club has grown exponentially. We’ve certainly seen an uptake in the numbers for the nipper programme, as well as our juniors and senior squads,” he said.
Rielly also praised the efforts of various members who have competed in a number of world and continental championships.
Most recently, several club members represented the victorious South African team at the Lifesaving Africa Championships held in Alexandra, Egypt.
The uMhlanga resident said one of the defining aspects of the club is its family orientated set-up.
“The club is definitely on sound footing and we’ve certainly seen that when it comes to how many families are part of the club. We have a great masters contingent and the club is also unique in the fact that we’ve established an Old Boys membership base. We have guys now in Australia, USA and the UK that are still affiliated to the club through their old boy membership which I think is quite unique. I’m not sure how many other lifesaving clubs can boast of that,” he said.
Another partnership which has seen the club make waves has been its water safety awareness programme.
“For more than a decade the club has helped set-up a water safety and awareness development programme with the Solomon Mahlangu Primary School. A lot of those children who we have mentored and been through the programmes have gone to become qualified lifeguards which is such a wonderful legacy,” he said.
Rielly’s legacy is alive and well at the club as his daughters, Samantha and Jessica have received their Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) awards and perform regular duties on uMhlanga beach.
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