As the summer season approaches and the warmer weather spurs on visits to Helderberg shores, locals can rest assured that there’s a Strand water baby among others dedicated to ensuring beach safety.
Cassiem Karaan, dubbed the basin’s very own Aquaman, will be in action around the False Bay coast tirelessly focusing efforts which often go beyond the call of duty to supervise the safety and rescue of swimmers. The 33-year-old from Strand, who dreams of one day establishing his own lifesaving club in aid of others servicing the Helderberg, has been featured in a documentary short film, Saving lives by Evan Zerf. The film provides insight into a day in the life of the Strand hero.
While his lifeguard duties may be seasonal, the video depicts Karaan proudly donning his red lifeguard jacket and empowering fellow youngsters taken under his wing along his lifesaving journey.
Zerf, filmmaker and owner of Oatmeal Productions, shared being inspired by Cassiem himself is what motivated the documentary. “The fact that he was doing something positive within his own community and sacrificing his own time and efforts to inspire children to something greater,” he elaborated.
“And I just wanted to shed light on the positive and inspirational work Cassiem was doing.”
To this endorsement Cassiem responded: “What fuels my passion is the love I have for the ocean and everything in and around it. This motivates me to always do my best.”
As a child who always spent time in the open waters, enjoying bodysurfing and spending many hours having fun at the Strand Municipal Pool, Cassiem’s lifeguarding career is something he naturally took to when a family friend provided information on the application process and referred him to Macassar Surf Lifesaving Club – where he trained every Friday evening before joining Strand Surf Lifesaving Club last December. Including his voluntary service, Cassiem has dedicated about 14 years to lifeguarding, striving to promote and ensure beachgoers’ safety while giving back to his beloved community.
“Going home at night knowing the day was productive and always hearing small children telling their friends or parents ‘look, there is Aquaman’ – a name given to me by the kids after they saw me helping injured or stranded seals regularly at Harmony Park – is what brings me most satisfaction,” he shared.
Cassiem regards his passion for working with children and the elderly as one of his lifeguarding strengths and believes in paving a positive way for the next generation.
Asked what races through his mind in a case of emergency, Cassiem said: “I try to remain calm with a clear mind, which can be difficult, but I have learnt with experience and growth through the process.”
As an important ability which aids water safety, Cassiem was taught to swim at age five. The task was championed by his father Mirwaan, who served as his first swimming coach and mentor offering lessons at the Strand jetty.
“I hope to teach more youth about the fundamentals of lifesaving and start my own club, where we can assist Strand Surf Lifesaving Club by covering the whole coast from Strand Beach right up to Gordon’s Bay.”
He extended the following message to others: “Whenever you feel crushed, under pressure or in darkness, know you’re in a powerful place of transformation. Just trust the process. Whatever you want to achieve in life, give it your all no matter what.”
Strand Surf Lifesaving Club expressed its gratitude to Cassiem for all the effort and commitment dedicated to the club for the Strand community. “He is a dependable club member and his hard work does not go unnoticed.”
