This scenic seaside town’s popularity with tourists ensures the crew at this newly-formed base are kept on their toes all summer long.

The most important thing to know about the Clive Cerff Rescue Base (aka Station 45) is that its inception was inspired by the life – and passing – of one of Strandfontein’s most active and beloved lifeguards, Clive Cerff.

Station Commander Tania Fouche, who had not previously been a volunteer with the NSRI, felt moved to keep Clive’s legacy alive after he tragically drowned on 15 December 2019 – one of the busiest times for Strandfontein’s beaches.

“My heart went out to the lifeguards and I stepped forward to say we must carry on with Clive’s work. The NSRI helped us and it just went from there. There’s a group of us here, friends of Clive, who’ve always been swimmers. I also had a passion for the rescue work they were doing.”

The crew chose Tanya as their Station Commander, and they commenced training with the NSRI. Now 15 members strong, the newly formed station already has quite a few rescues to its name: “Each life saved is the best memory,” she says. “Clive’s his legacy will always be alive at Station 45.”