It was in 1932 that Noral Lawson officially constituted the Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club (SSLC) after it had been in operation for some three years, under the guidance of Noral, Jack and Scott Ayres and Jack Nisbett.
Earlier this month, 150 club members celebrated this wonderful 90 years achievement with a celebration dinner at the Scottburgh Golf Club. Most of those in attendance had served the Scottburgh community by performing many hours of duty over the years on Scottburgh beach, as professional lifeguards or duty squad members, as well as representing the club in inter-club, national and international competitions.
Club president Mandy Jones welcomed everyone and made special mention of the club’s life members, sponsors, delegates from KZN Lifesaving, as well as the beach manager.
It was wonderful to welcome Scottburgh’s first beach manager, club chairman and multiple Springbok representative, Mickey Sadler who made a special trip from St Francis Bay to the prestigious function.
The top Nippers were awarded for excellence in their respective age groups and the Nipper of the Year award went to Abbey Jones who had recently returned from the SA Interprovincial Lifesaving championships.
After dinner, the club prize giving took place where Anele ‘Chad’ Sibisi received the Lifesaver of the Year Award and Michaella Pagel Senior Team Lady of the Year.
Ayanda Mthimkhulu (newly appointed club captain) was awarded Senior Club Man of the Year and was added to the long list of SSLC Life Members.
Chairman Keith Jones paid tribute to the successes of the club over the past 90 years, mentioning many names and anecdotes. He related stories of the many hours that lifeguards served on the beach to ensure the safety of beachgoers, while also mentioning some of the top performances in club competitions. From these stories, it was obvious that throughout its history, SSLC has punched way above its weight and been a force to be reckoned with at provincial and national levels.
The club won the SA Championships in 1954 and has produced SA Champions on 35 occasions, while 14 National Colours were awarded to Scottburgh lifesavers. Stacey Bowley was crowned as World Champion.
After a moving tribute by Trevor McAlpine (ex-chairman) to founder member Noral Lawson, Russell Lawson (Noral’s son) unveiled a photograph and a plaque in honour of his father, which will be placed in the clubhouse.
The function turned into a party where members danced and related many stories of club events and happenings well into the wee hours of the morning. The club looks set to continue with its successes into the future under the guidance of the present chairman Keith Jones, the club secretary Morgane Gardner and long-serving treasurer Bruce Roberts.
All members look forward to the centenary celebration – only 10 years away!
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