SOUTH Africa’s oldest lifesaving club, Warnadoone Surf Lifesaving Club will celebrate its 90th year of existence this August.
The club, which is based at the end of the Dick King Place cul-de-sac in Doonside, has a history which is intertwined with much of the surrounding areas.
It all began in 1927 when a group of local ocean enthusiasts decided to start a lifesaving club. It was a mighty step as the country didn’t have any lifesaving clubs. Around the same time, another group in Durban got together and formed the popular Durban Surf Lifesaving Club.
“The initial club, known as Umlazi South Lifesaving Club did duties at both Warner Beach and Winklespruit beaches. As enthusiasm in the community grew, two clubs were formed, namely Warnadoone and Winkle Surf Lifesaving Clubs,” explained Warnadoone’s Mickey Thompson.
“Duties at Warner Beach were carried out from a wooden hut which lasted up until 1936, when a bigger and better clubhouse was built to accommodate the growing numbers.”
Unfortunately the bigger clubhouse only lasted a couple of years before it caught alight and burnt to the ground, along with all the equipment and records.
A new wood and asbestos clubhouse replaced the ashes of the first clubhouse. This lasted for many years, with a brick section being added in 1974 to accommodate the club’s rescue equipment and updated ablution and shower rooms.
“Being a remote site, there was a lot of vandalism over the next few years,” said Mickey. “In 1981 the club was forced to move everything into the brick section to ensure the safety equipment wasn’t vandalised.” The wooden structure was then broken down and removed.
All the while the club’s membership grew and its committee then approached the then Kingsburgh Town Council for assistance in building a new clubhouse. “In 1985 the club moved into its current clubhouse where facilities were modern. Due to the location, vandalism became a thing of the past,” said Mickey.
The opening was officiated by the club president, Tommy Juckes. “He was more responsible than any other member in ensuring the direction the club would take,” said Mickey.
In 1994 the club expanded, once more adding a new craft room and duty office. Between the mid-90s and now, there have been further facility upgrades and enhancements which have added to the club’s attraction for new members.
“In 1968 Bob Whiting, whose children were under 14, got together with Noral Lawson of Scottburgh Club to form a kindergarten for young ‘wannabe’ lifesavers,” said Mickey. “They arranged inter-club competitions between the two clubs and the popular ‘nippers’ was started.”
Durban’s Pirates Club was also starting a similar section and after another three years, nippers was accepted by the South African Lifesaving Association and rolled out to all clubs.
“Warnadoone has a proud history when it comes to competitions, with many a provincial and national event being won by the club’s member,” said Mickey. “The continued growth of the club is due to the strong bond that runs across all age groups and the support we receive from parents and friends.”
Warnadoone Lifesaving Club looks forward to many more years of providing safety to local bathers. By training many youngsters to become lifeguards, they’ll acquire skills that will come into use not only on the beach, but in everyday life.
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