KNYSNA NEWS - Following initial talks of establishing a local volunteer lifesaving club in the Greater Knysna District, the first step was taken to establish such a club in Sedgefield on Wednesday, March 4.
Stakeholders and interest parties gathered at PiliPili Extreme Sport Centre, Sedgefield to discuss the steps needed to realise this much-needed volunteer service.
"I believe that a voluntary lifesaving club will assist in developing capacity within our area - local people with local knowledge of the conditions and a community sport that is wholesome," said Greg Vogt, CEO of Knysna Tourism and accredited lifesaver.
Vogt has been hard at work behind the scenes. "The merit in my proposal to establish a club has been met favourably at all levels and we are now ready to start submitting the applications."
At the Wednesday meeting, Sedgefield residents Garth Dominy, Mike Roets and Mario Ferreira were chosen to initiate the Sedgefield Lifesaving Club. They were tasked with ensuring that the correct applications are sent to the Western Cape Provincial Lifesaving Association, finding a suitable clubhouse and other administrative duties that would result in Sedgefield's first lifesaving club.
"This club will go through the paces of being accredited as per Western Province Lifesaving Association processes and procedures, which includes being accredited – once properly constituted – through the regional surf lifesaving association," explained Vogt.
According to him, "Lifesaving clubs have been valuable contributors to beach communities in various parts of South Africa. The systems have been in place for many years and the culture of lifesaving is a valuable contributor to any community. Voluntary clubs grow and nurture an ethic within communities with popular beaches, of serving the community and its visitors in a positive way."
In conclusion Vogt said that he is confident that by the 2015/2016 season the Greater Knysna's beaches will be patrolled and serviced by lifesavers from its own communities. "We have such talent here and to the best of my knowledge this talent is not being deployed to our benefit. I am confident that the time is right and that we have the people with the capacity in our community to be the founders of such an initiative.
"We have the opportunity to build something special for our community that will build capacity and provide a service that will promote excellence on our beaches. The club will also provide a nursery to nurture future talent."
A second meeting will be held at the Buffel's Bay Restaurant on March 12 at 15:30. Knysna Tourism invites all interested parties to attend.
Several interested parties gathered at PiliPili Extreme Sport Centre in Sedgefield on Wednesday, May 4 to discuss the establishment of a volunteer lifesaving club. Clockwise (from front, left) are Bomber Webb (Edge Community Newspaper), Karin Bekker (Cape Nature), Garth Dominy and his daughter Skye, Greg Vogt (Knysna Tourism CEO) Louis Vermaak, Lyle Katzen, Mario Ferreira, Abre Pio and Mike Roets. Photo: Fran Kirsten.
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