Countdown to summer!

We caught up with the NSRI’s Lifeguard Operations Manager, Rebecca Carter-Smith, to get the inside scoop on how her unit is gearing up for the busy season.

There may still be a chill in the air, but the brunt of winter is behind us, thank goodness: days are lengthening and temperatures rising, turning our thoughts to all things summer.

At the same time, the NSRI’s Lifeguard unit is beginning its annual training ramp-up to make sure our coastlines remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.

“The frequency of lifeguard training starts to increase in September, with a focus on identifying potential lifeguard crew leaders,” says NSRI Lifeguard Operations Manager Rebecca Carter-Smith. “We actively involve them in training to prepare their teams for the upcoming season and boost morale. Additionally, this approach allows lifeguards to gradually acclimate to the water and weather conditions while the temperatures are still low.”

NSRI lifeguards are not volunteers, but highly trained and well-equipped professionals. The Lifeguard unit currently holds contracts to deliver lifeguarding services at 22 beaches across South Africa, including Strandfontein (Matzikama), Saldanha Bay, Mykonos Casino Beaches, Agulhas, and Knysna.

“These services are overseen by a dedicated team of over 145 lifeguards,” says Rebecca. “Additionally, we are actively engaged in various training projects, extending our training services to the local communities of Langebaan and Jeffreys Bay.”

These services are aimed at anyone from age 17 and up. In the Jeffreys Bay region, students are offered an opportunity to build on their swimming skills to become proficient swimmers and then to continue with their training to qualify as lifeguards. In Langebaan, efforts are focused on individuals who can swim well and would like to train to be lifeguards.

Rebecca hopes to elevate her unit’s lifeguard services and foster skills development and employment prospects within local communities in the coming season, and is in the process of expanding the unit’s sphere of protection by seeking tender contracts with additional municipalities (currently awaiting approval).

Rebeccas’ core team is also expanding: “We're excited to extend a warm welcome to Mthetheleli Kweyama, who has joined us as the Lifeguard Operations Manager for the KwaZulu-Natal region. We eagerly anticipate the exciting new opportunities and achievements that lie ahead with Mthetheleli on board!”

In order to continually improve on the previous year’s services, the Lifeguard unit debriefs all teams at the end of each season, taking note of highlights and challenges: “We then spend the off-season looking at how we can continue to improve our services,” says Rebecca. “This year, we’ll be running assessments of lifeguards earlier on. We are also planning pop-up CPR stations on our beaches to talk about water awareness and bystander CPR, as well as some demos for the public, to continually spread awareness and educate our beach visitors.”

Prevention strategies are always the first priority: the most effective way to keep people safe is to head off potentially life-threatening situations before they arise. This involves talking to people, warning them about the possible dangers they face and getting them to move to the red-and-yellow lifeguard flags, for starters. Since its inception in 2017, the NSRI Lifeguard unit has amassed over 14 000 preventions.

“Prevention actions are vital to a safe beach experience,” says Rebecca. “As lifeguards, it’s our job to ensure your beach experience is as positive as possible.”

Beach cameras set up in Blouberg, Strand, Herolds Bay, Buffels Bay and Plettenberg Bay have also been a game changer for both stations and lifeguards. “They are monitored before, during and after hours of duty, so our duty crew and duty lifeguards can be alerted to anything happening on their beaches instantly,” says Rebecca.

NSRI’s Emergency Operations Centre has direct communication with the lifeguards on duty, so can act as an extra set of eyes, alerting the lifeguards and crews to any rip currents and dangers that may not be easily seen from the beach.

“I’m feeling positive and excited for the season. However, I will not be relaxing until winter starts again; I take a lot of pride in the work the lifeguards do, and look forward to seeing them excel and what the season ahead brings.”

Would you like to become an NSRI lifeguard? Fill out an application form here.