Youth, be the best version of yourself.
One of the NSRI’s youngest volunteers, Adrian Fransman is still in Grade 12 and helps to save lives on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast.“I love that quick burst of adrenaline that runs through your veins when the phone rings, followed by donning your full PPE, the coxswain briefs the crew, and suddenly you are facing an unpredictable swell that soaks the daylights out of you. There’s no better satisfaction than engaging in a successful rescue operation.”The NSRI operates in both coastal and inland waters, and the non-profit organisation is staffed by volunteers like Fransman who are on standby day and night throughout the year to ensure water safety is maintained and people in distress are rescued.Fransman’s journey towards NSRI began in 2011 when he was nine years old, and heard about a plane crash in Plettenberg Bay, where the NSRI was involved in the recovery of the victims. 'In 2012 my family moved to Scottburgh and I had my first taste of the sea. I joined NSRI in 2019 and have currently completed 66 hours.”COVID-19 has put the brakes on his role at the NSRI, where he is a crew member. I generally assist anywhere and everywhere, helping trainees and giving them tips on how to do certain activities, as well as assisting my station commander with training.”When he finishes school, Fransman hopes to study towards a law degree.When not volunteering, he enjoys quiet time with an online book, “reading stories of some of the greatest men that I aspire to be like”. He also enjoys watching movies with friends or spending a day at the beach.“With the ability to transform our entire nation into one of the most forgiving and greatest in the world, the South African youth can pride themselves on the efforts and sacrifices that many are currently going through in order to continue developing our wonderful country. As the youth of South Africa, we are the future. The future doctors, entrepreneurs, lawyers, teachers, and philanthropists. Don’t give up, work hard, and continue being the best version of yourself. Be the example for others to follow,” is Fransman’s advice for youngsters.He lives by the words of go deep, go bravely, or don’t go at all. “Always give your best effort in anything that you do, no matter how big or small.”
June is celebrated as Youth Month in South Africa to remember the sacrifices of past generations of young people in the attainment of freedom and also to recognise the role of youth in shaping the future of the country. Youth Month 2020 was launched under the theme
Youth Power: Growing South Africa together in the Period of COVID-19.The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters – both coastal and inland. The NSRI works to prevent drowning through rescue operations, education and prevention initiatives. The NSRI is totally reliant on donations and sponsorships in order to do the work of saving lives, changing lives, and creating futures. Visit
www.nsri.org.za for more information.The minimum age for joining the National Sea Rescue Institute as a trainee rescuer is 16 years of age. Some NSRI stations offer a junior academy where candidates are able to join in for some of the theory related training from age 12 onwards. On these bases, these candidates are able to become fully fledged rescue crew once they have passed the minimum number of sea hours and practical assessments shortly after turning 16 - due to the benefit of having completed most of the theoretical aspects sooner.Please note, that as with any trainee and any volunteer – training conditions and expectations are appropriately matched to the candidate’s ability, to manage their safety.
