There’s a new cast keeping watch on one of South Africa’s most exciting coastal destinations… and unlike the red swimsuits of the TV series, these heroes are the real deal.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (07 July 2026) – As Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari officially opened its doors on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast this weekend, another feel-good story was unfolding alongside the celebrations. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has been entrusted with keeping guests safe across the resort’s pools, dam and beachfront, creating what might just be South Africa’s very own version of Baywatch… only this one comes with years of lifesaving experience, world-class training, really good news stories (that we have featured) and a mission that stretches far beyond the shoreline.
Over the years, we’ve shared countless stories about the incredible work done by both Club Med and the NSRI. One has built a reputation for creating unforgettable holiday experiences around the world, while the other has spent decades protecting lives on South African waters. Seeing those two organisations come together just feels like the perfect fit, especially here at Good Things Guy.
Following a formal tender process, the NSRI was selected to provide professional water safety and lifeguarding services for the brand-new resort. Their role spans every part of the resort’s water environment, from six swimming pools and a dam to the public beach, where NSRI lifeguards will work alongside the KwaDukuza Municipality lifeguards responsible for beach safety.
And we think, one of the best parts of this story (besides the Baywatch vibes)… is the job creation!
40 lifeguards, the majority recruited from the surrounding area, have been trained and certified by the NSRI, creating meaningful employment while strengthening water safety along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. As tourism continues to grow, so too does the need for skilled professionals who know exactly how to prevent emergencies before they happen.
“We are proud to partner with the NSRI to provide lifeguarding services at Club Med South Africa,” said Barq Guessoum, Resort Manager at Club Med South Africa.
“The NSRI’s reputation for excellence in water safety made them the natural choice to help keep our guests safe at our pools and on the beach. We are confident that our guests will enjoy the resort’s facilities, knowing they are in the most capable hands.”
For the NSRI, the appointment is about much more than lifeguarding.
“Club Med’s trust in the NSRI to fulfil this role is something we are very proud of,” said Mike Vonk, Chief Executive Officer of the NSRI.
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“It is a strong endorsement of the capability we have built across our organisation over many years. That capability was equally evident in the way Station Commander Mike Bishop and the crew at Station 41 Ballito supported our training and operations team as they established operations at the resort. It speaks to the strength of the NSRI network.”
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“Many people know the NSRI through dramatic rescues at sea. That will always be central to who we are. But our mission is equally about drowning prevention: keeping people safe before an emergency happens. Lifeguarding, water safety education, survival swimming, public rescue equipment and emergency response are all part of the same drowning-prevention mission.”
Every trained lifeguard and every preventative measure creates a safer environment for families making memories on holiday, while also investing in long-term water safety skills within the region.
The NSRI sees the partnership as an example of how specialist expertise can serve both communities and visitors.
“As an NPO, our mission is to save lives and prevent drowning. Putting our expertise to work in environments like this is our mission in practice. This work creates employment, builds local capability, upholds high safety standards and extends the reach of our lifesaving mission.”
“This is exactly where the NSRI should be: helping to shape safer water environments before incidents happen. It is good for guests, good for the region, local lifeguarding employment, and South Africa’s broader water safety culture. It shows that our mission has real value in many different environments.”
Behind every incredible holiday is a team making sure the moments that matter stay filled with laughter, adventure and peace of mind. With Club Med welcoming visitors to a spectacular new destination and the NSRI standing watch, this partnership is creating more than just a world-class resort experience. It’s growing local opportunities, strengthening water safety and giving every guest one more reason to dive into South Africa’s beautiful coastline with confidence.
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