Jeffreys Bay Surf Lifesaving Club

🚩 Between the Flags | Lifesavers Making a Difference - Kouga News 🛟

From the Alberts family, following their Easter holiday in Kabeljous, Jeffreys Bay, Kouga Municipality, comes a special acknowledgement of a lifeguard who left a lasting impression:

“This Easter, one lifeguard stood out. He brought a different kind of energy, with an unmistakable sense of passion and purpose. Friendly, approachable, and highly attentive, Petri Botes made a lasting impression on our family.”

Petri Botes from Jeffreys Bay Surf Lifesaving Club was often found in the water - swimming alongside beachgoers, supporting those pushing their limits, and stepping in when the ocean demanded respect.

This is what it means to be a lifesaver - not just on duty, but present, engaged, and committed to the safety of others.

From DHL Lifesaving South Africa - thank you, Petri, for embodying the true spirit of lifesaving and the responsibility that comes with it. 💛

📖 Read the full story via Kouga News:
https://kouganews.com/news/kouga-lifeguard-goes-beyond-the-call-of-duty-2026-04-16/

Jeffreys Bay Surf Lifesaving Club celebrates growth in Nipper and senior programmes

Jeffreys Bay Surf Lifesaving Club has highlighted strong recent progress across its development and senior structures, including growth in its Nipper programme, success at the SA Champs, and new WaterSmart training. The club also thanked local supporters and partners for backing its activities in Jeffreys Bay and the broader Kouga region.

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Credit: Jeffreys Bay Surf Lifesaving Club

Kouga Lifeguard goes Beyond the Call of Duty

More often than not, Petri could be found in the water, swimming alongside those who were pushing their limits or underestimating the power of the waves.

Follow the link in the comments.

Let us examine the recent developments within the club over the past few months. Our Nipper programme has experienced significant growth and our Nipper candidates are making excellent progress towards level testing soon. Our qualified Nippers competed at the SA Champs, delivering a commendable performance that earned two silver medal finishes and etched the club's name in the history books.

Recently, our senior members completed the WaterSmart facilitators course, an NQF level 5 course, and we are eager to implement the programme in the greater Kouga region. We are also providing training to junior members, with the aim of maintaining momentum.
Our Long-term Athlete group continues to grow.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the lovely lady at Chip n Dip Jeffreys Bay for her ongoing support during the Eastern Cape Championships, as well as to Gabriëls Jewellers. We appreciate the continued support of the River Club - St. Francis Bay We are also deeply grateful to the management team at Kouga Municipality for their partnership and support.

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Women Play a Vital Role in Reducing Drowning Worldwide 🛟

This morning, DHL Lifesaving South Africa joined the International Women’s Day webinar hosted by the ILS Drowning Prevention Commission, bringing together global voices in Women in Drowning Prevention.

Brilliantly facilitated by Stacey Pidgeon from Royal Life Saving Society - Australia, the session shared powerful stories of women leading change - from community-based programmes to global leadership. It highlighted both the challenges and the impact of women working to reduce drowning worldwide.

A clear takeaway: women play a vital role in saving lives - from mothers and caregivers to leaders shaping policy and practice globally. We hope girls and young women within the LSA movement see themselves reflected in these role models.

It was also encouraging to see Ministry representatives from several countries engaged in the discussion. We look forward to continued engagement with our own national decision-makers to strengthen drowning prevention strategies.

FINAL PREP. FULL FOCUS. 🚩 9 Days to Go

Across South Africa, athletes are putting in the work - this is where it all comes together.

📣 Tag your training partner who’s been keeping you motivated!

Continuity 🩵💜

Training Nippers. Building Water-Safe Communities for 115 Years. 🛟🇿🇦

On 14 February 2026, the Jeffreys Bay community gathered in proud support of the young Nippers representing Jeffreys Bay Surf Lifesaving Club at the 2026 Eastern Province Surf Lifesaving Provincial Championships. It marked the first time the club fielded Nippers in competition - and they rose to the occasion, demonstrating confidence, competence and ocean safety skills that made their town proud.

This milestone reflects the impact of a national development project led by Lifesaving South Africa, funded by the National Lotteries Commission Fund. Across seven provinces, 140 children - many from low-income and disadvantaged communities - achieved their Nipper qualifications and stepped onto the competitive stage as entry-level athletes.

Many will now participate in the 2026 National Lifesaving Championships in Gqeberha (26 March - 1 April 2026).

Nippers are more than young competitors. They are children equipped with life-saving water competence, beginning a pathway that can lead to becoming qualified lifeguards, humanitarian responders, and leaders in their communities.

For 115 years, Lifesaving South Africa has built this structured pathway - from Micro-Nippers to Masters - combining sport, education and voluntary service into a lifelong cycle of lifesaving.

We call on government and corporate partners to strengthen this movement, so that more South African children can become water-safe and we can collectively reduce the burden of drowning in our country.

Every child trained is a life protected.
Lifesaving Nelson Mandela Bay - LNMB Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality