Lifeguards have been taking up their spots on the Wilderness beaches to protect the public, all thanks to the community funding their shifts.
Wilderness, South Africa (15 March 2021) – The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters – both coastal and inland. Their goal is to prevent drowning through rescue operations, education and prevention initiatives.
Not all beaches have the resources to have lifeguards present, but that is slowly changing. The community in Wilderness came together to sponsor a lifeguard project.
The NSRI launched this life-saving initiative that will see lifeguards stationed on beaches over weekends and public holidays for a 10-week period, from 27th February – 2nd May 2021. The focus of their activities will be prevention, anticipating dangers and educating visitors about the dangers that they may face at the water, thus reducing the need for rescue.
This past weekend’s shifts were fully sponsored by the Garden Route Game Lodge, which allowed a team of seven lifeguards to patrol the Wilderness coastline, protecting beachgoers and holidaymakers.
The reason for the initiative is that there have been several drownings in the area, and a recent rescue of a local man who was caught in a rip current at The Steps highlights once again the need for lifeguards to patrol Wilderness Beach over the weekends during the summer season.
The stretch from Leentjies Klip to the outlet of the lagoon, Wilderness Main Beach and beyond is notoriously dangerous for swimming. With the beaches opening again, there has been an influx of visitors, both local and foreign, to these beaches.
NSRI is appealing to the community to support this initiative in any way that they can, either by donating or sharing the appeal. Lifeguards in the area are donating a third of their time to make sure the shifts are covered during the wait for funding.
Donate now:
“Anyone can save life, but we need lifeguards to assist us in saving lives on Wilderness beaches, and we need your help to put them there. Should someone wish to sponsor a whole weekend, it will cost just R1350 to place lifeguards on the beach for a day or R2 700 for the weekend.
Donations can support the local economy by encouraging visitors to come and enjoy safe beaches in Wilderness. There are also marketing opportunity for donors through recognition in media and association with NSRI brand or they can qualify for for deductions from taxable income can can attract BEE points under the SED category.”
For more information or to make a donation, please contact Wilderness NSRI Station 23 on 082 990 5955 or send an e-mail to station23@searescue.org.za.
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