Lifesavers do us proud

THE City’s professional lifesavers did the region proud by grabbing no fewer than 19 medals – seven of these gold – at the KZN Masters champs at Battery Beach in Durban on Sunday.

Hosted by Suncoast Pirates Surf Lifesaving Club, the championship was divided into 30-34 year (A division) and 35-39 (B division) age groups.

Competing as one of the smallest teams under the Empangeni Lifesaving Club banner (no females!) and not taking part in a significant number of events, the City lifeguards surprised the ‘big boys’ by adding 10 silver medals and two bronze to their tally.

This was largely due to the bigger surf conditions which the Alkantstrand lifeguards are well familiar with.

Starring for the Zululanders were Thulani Nzama and Daniel Lubanyana, who won their respective Long Run events then teamed up with David Ravenscroft to win the Board Relay and Taplin Relay.

Thulani and Daniel placed second in both the Board Race and Beach Flags, with Thulani nailing more silvers in the Single Ski and Iron Master events.

Thulani, Daniel and Nkosi Ngcobo combined for a silver in the Beach Relay.

Nkosi won a bronze in Beach Flags while David earned the same medal in the Beach Sprint.

Besides these highlights there were other significant achievements in gaining minor placings against the province’s best and most experienced lifesavers from 10 established clubs.

‘Our club now knows we can be competitive at the SA Champs but we need sponsors to help us get there,’ said Nkosi, who can be contacted on 073 1574625.