Seasonal lifesavers lauded

IN a community that exists with the ocean as its centre, the vital role played by lifeguards in keeping the holidays a time of fun and relaxation couldn’t be overemphasised.

To express its gratitude, eThekwini beach management hosted all 33 seasonal lifeguards who were stationed at beaches between Isipingo and Umkomaas over the festive season, for a breakfast at Amanzimtoti Main Beach’s Lifesavers Pub n Grill on Thursday, 18 January.

Hear the tales six of them have to tell: Local lifeguards share festive season rescue stories

Speeches by Cllr Andre Beetge, beach management’s Jayce Govender and the many pro-lifeguards lauded the contribution of these 33 deserving men.

They went over and above with their duty requirements by not only being lifeguards who constantly monitored the booming beaches, but babysitters to lost children, paramedics in their roles as the first responders to the scene and even law enforcement officers when crowds of beachgoers got out of control.

Cllr Beetge expressed his feelings on the proud role these lifeguards play. Their days in the scorching heat, some stationed at beaches without a shower to wash off under, are definitely not for the faint-hearted. Beach patrols, testing water conditions by swimming far out, constantly dealing with arrogant beachgoers who insist their knowledge of the ocean outweighs that of the lifeguard, reasoning with those putting themselves in harm’s way after consuming alcohol and attempting to tackle a rough ocean or becoming aggressive on the beach – their salaries were insufficient reward for the vital role they played.

The 33 lifeguards assisted with 178 rescues where people were revived and 500 help-outs from the water where more often than not, people refused to heed their warnings before they experienced difficulties. Over 500 children went missing and were returned to their parents, by these 33.

“It’s interesting to note that every single one of them, without exception, was part of a rescue that ensured someone a continued lease on life,” commented Cllr Beetge.

Cllr Beetge reminded that sadly they are often verbally abused and even submitted to having bottles and other objects thrown at them when they merely ask the public to abide by rules set in place to protect them.

“Not one person drowned on any beach where a lifeguard was deployed or where people bathed within allocated areas,” said Cllr Beetge.

Beach manager Jayce Govender, who sponsored the breakfast, admitted that too often management receives the credit for the hard work executed by the lifeguards.

“They’re out on the beach and in the surf every day,” he said. “If it weren’t for them doing a superb job, those of us higher up wouldn’t receive compliments. It’s my job to make sure I pass on these compliments and credit to them, and express our complete gratitude.”

Jayce thanked his lifeguards, pool supervisors, cleaning staff and law enforcement for all the effort put into making last year’s festive season the success it was.

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