Calling Sedge residents for NSRI programme

SEDGEFIELD NEWS - The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) calls upon residents of Sedgefield, Wilderness, Touwsranten and Kleinkrantz to sign up for its Zero to Hero training programme that trains and prepares individuals to become lifeguards.

The programme is a means for the NSRI to recruit and train lifeguards from disadvantaged communities to patrol local beaches come summertime, and their plans to continue with this initiative include the aim to train 10 new lifeguards every year.

"Piloted in 2021, the aim of the Zero to Hero initiative is to ensure that access to training and employment as lifeguards is available to everyone, specifically disadvantaged communities who may not previously have been able to access training due to historical and socio-economic barriers," said Mike Vonk, Wilderness NSRI Station 23 Station Commander.

"As an organisation, we strive to make a positive impact in our communities that we live and serve in. We want a better shared and safer future for everyone – this lifesaving initiative aims to achieve that."

The aim

The objective for NSRI is to recruit and train lifeguards by offering an intensive 4- to 5-week Zero to Hero programme. No previous experience in being a lifeguard is required and successful candidates will walk (or swim) away with an internationally recognised qualification and a lifeguard clothing package.

They will also be able to apply for seasonal employment through both the NSRI and local municipalities – in Sedgefield residents' case it would be Knysna Municipality.

The vision is to run the programme in different communities, giving opportunities to as many different groups as possible. After the success of last year's pilot project in Touwsranten (George), the focus this year is on extending the initiative to residents who live in Sedgefield.

"We welcome applicants from Touwsranten, Wilderness or Kleinkrantz, with employment opportunities on local beaches, later this year," said NSRI communications and PR manager Kuhle Mkize in a press release earlier this week.

Selection and benefits

To register for the programme, applicants must first attend the swimming assessment that will be held this Saturday, 17 September, from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Sedgefield slipway on Kingfisher Drive, next to the Lovebug, the mosaic VW Beetle.

"The course will be offered at no charge to the candidates as it's important that there are no financial barriers to those who are interested," said Mike Wood, NSRI lifeguard area manager.

All training materials, transport, clothing and examination fees will be fully sponsored.

In return, lifeguards will simply be expected to volunteer some of their time, but they will also have the opportunity for paid employment.

Three candidates who qualified as lifeguards through the programme in 2021, Xolani Qakatayo, Jerome Goeieman and Eurios Horne, worked the full holiday season, helping to keep members of the public safe on beaches and in Knysna municipal pools while at the same time earning a salary.

The NSRI training will allow residents from previously disadvantaged communities to become a lifeguard and earn an income during the summer season. Photo: NSRI