As the curtain falls on a successful season at the Strand Surf Lifesaving Club, the top achieving nippers and head coach reflected on another consistently impressive year that not only motivated a humanitarian aspect in each and every activity, but also served to build relationships and comradery in an environment of competitiveness and keeping fit.
Head coach Earle van der Watt, who trained as a lifeguard and joined the club in 2019, said the recruitment of nippers over the past year went exceptionally well and all passed levels 1 and 2 of the junior nipper exam, which included a pool test, theory test and practical ocean evaluation.
He said: “As a small club with about 80 nippers ranging in age from four to 13 we achieved quite a bit and are immensely proud of podium positions obtained at provincial and national championships.
“It’s always challenging as lifesaving competes with many other sports that attract youngsters, particularly swimming and biathlon, but the nippers really committed themselves and reaped the rewards of personal achievement. Our focus now is to recruit more nippers, we want to grow the club with a larger base for the Helderberg. Our season starts in August again, but we’re already accepting registrations and new enrolments.”
Van der Watt added there was no age limit as the club also had lifeguards participating in the masters category, the oldest being 74.
“All you need to know is the basics of swimming and be prepared for anything in terms of weather and surf,” he said. “We’ll train you to get fit, and activities comprise a combination of swimming, boards and running. It’s an amazing sports and just as competitive as any other sport would be, but importantly also has a humanitarian factor. Ultimately it’s about learning how to save a life.”
Here is what some of the top award winners had too say about their season:
Marcel November (12) – senior victor ludorum
“It was my first season and what a great experience it has been. I really enjoyed the sprints and obtained the fastest times in my age group. I also won gold at nationals which was really a highlight for me.
“I also really enjoyed the malibu boards, although I was scared at first as the waves can be rough, but I quickly got the hang of it. I was surprised to win the victor ludorum award as I wasn’t really expecting it, but I also worked hard so it feels great to win it.”
Jana Ochsenbein (13) – senior victrix ludorum and chairman’s award for outstanding achievement:
“I started at the surf club when I was six years old and I am still enjoying every minute of it. I feel it teaches life lessons, the camaraderie is amazing and teaches perseverance and determination. An obstacle I overcame was when I learnt to use the malibu board, and not just nose-dive. Practice helped me a lot and now the malibu is my favourite. I also had an injury earlier in the season, so I feel could have achieved more, but nonetheless it’s been a very rewarding season. Next season I will be in the junior lifeguard category, which I’m really excited about. The club feels like a community and family and definitely toughens you up.”
Earle van der Watt Jr (10) – junior victor ludorum
“I started as a micro-nipper when I was five and initially enjoyed swimming and being with my buddies. I was working hard this year and it feels a great achievement to be the junior victor ludorum. Micro-nipper swimming and being with my buddies. I also play rugby, hockey, piano and saxophone, and biathlon, but still find time to be at the lifesaving club as I enjoy it very much”.
Isabella Pedersen (10) – junior victrix ludorum
“It was my first season, and it was so much fun with my friends as I love swimming and running. The entire experience has been very fulfilling, and I would encourage others to join and be a part of something really special, for there are so many fun activities and there are lots of friends to be made.”
. For more information on Strand Surf Lifesaving Club, follow them on Facebook or send an email to Van der Watt at earle@evdw.co.za.
