On Saturday the 6th of May, Station 37, Jeffreys Bay, held a water safety lesson for 12 youngsters, aged 6 to 13 years, from Oceanview, a local township. The weather was a little inclement so we did not get as large a turnout as we had hoped.This group is one taken under the wing of the 'J'Bay Surf Club' and is led by Luc van der Walt. The aim is to teach them surfing skills and safety in the water. Today was part of a project that they have undertaken to create a mural on a wall overlooking Main Beach, Jeffreys Bay, for which they have received authority from the municipality.Saturday's class was an interactive session showing them a video about the NSRI, and demonstrating how crew are kitted out. They were then taught the Water Safety PLAN, and then went on to act out scenarios where they would help their buddies who may find themselves in trouble in the water, by throwing a rope etc. and hauling them in.They then had a chance to view our rescue craft.This was followed by the children each creating a drawing of what they had seen and experienced during the visit. The Surf Club led them in this process, with the help of five primary school teachers from Belgium, who are doing and internship in South Africa.On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon this week the children will be taken through a process, with the help of the surf club members and the teachers, in designing and painting the mural of what the experienced. Station 37 members who were involved today will participate in that exercise as well.Station 37 members who participated were Elaine Schmidt, our Water Safety instructor, Ernie Schmidt and trainee crew members Chantell Pretorius and Duncan van Niekerk-Venter.
