A newly registered non-profit organisation in Strand is on a mission to create a sustainable mindset change among underprivileged youths about sea and beach safety, and hopes to cultivate a strong respect for the sea through the development and implementation of education and life skill development programmes.
All this while helping to build resilience in all the areas of the youngsters lives, whether it be physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, so they are able to realise their full potential and contribute to the building of their communities.
Sea Safe, located and operating in Strand, provides sea and beach safety programmes in areas throughout the Cape Town Metro.
“It is Sea Safe’s belief that education and life-skills development and practical implementation of these skills in a safe environment are essential to address the high number of tragic fatal and near-fatal drowning incidents along the South African coastline,” one of its founders, Martin Bester, said.
He explained the sea and beach-safety education programmes can be presented both inside and outside, where participants can sit, relax, listen and learn.
“Our programmes are of an innovative nature that allow children and adults to participate in fun activities and role-play as they engage with one another as they learn,” said Bester.
“We have touched the lives of children and adults of Smartie Town in Macassar, Sir Lowry’s Pass Children’s Home, Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary School’s rugby team and the Somerset West Family Shelter. We have also partnered with Virtual Resources, The Darcey Sunshine Foundation, Out The Box and the Strand Lifesaving Club whose support has enabled us to touch the lives of these very special children and adults.
“We would like to ask businesses and the public to support us by funding our current and future needs. No matter how small, any help will be most appreciated.”
Most recently a Somerset West Family Shelter sea-and-beach safety event was held on Friday (6 October).
“We were privileged to be able to present our Sea and Beach Safety Programme to children of varying ages of the Somerset West Night Shelter,” Bester said, “teaching lessons on topics such as lifeguards, beach safety flags, beach safety signs, waves and tides, rip currents, self-rescue, basic First Aid and CPR. We had lots of fun playing games while learning. Two qualified lifeguards acted as safety officers and oversaw the safety of all the children. I would like to thank the Darcey Sunshine Foundation and Strand Lifesaving Club for supporting us in making this event possible.”
