GQEBERHA – Fish Hoek Surf Life Saving Club emerged as the undisputed champions of the 2026 DHL Lifesaving South Africa Championships, claiming victory in both the Senior & Junior Surf Championships and the Nippers Pool Championships that concluded this week.

The Western Cape club accumulated an impressive 998 points in the senior and junior categories, well ahead of second-placed Clifton (761 points) and third-placed Summerstrand (465 points). Fish Hoek also topped the nippers standings with 521 points, followed by Kings Beach (466) and Summerstrand (306).

The championships, which featured challenging wind and surf conditions on the final day, saw remarkable performances across all age groups. Most notably, the nipper categories witnessed a record-breaking spree with 11 new South African records being set throughout the competition.

“It’s been one of the best championships we’ve had in many years,” said Craig van Rooyen, Director of Sport at Lifesaving SA. “Many challenges along the way but easily overcome with some hard-working commitment from the team. A big thank you to all our voluntary officials, safety, sponsors and partners. Most of all to all the clubs and competitors for their ongoing support. 2026 is truly a champs that will be remembered for years to come.”

The event combined senior, junior and nipper competitions across both surf and beach disciplines, with pool events adding another dimension to the nippers’ competition. The final day emphasized relay events, showcasing teamwork and endurance across the surf and beach disciplines.

Individual standouts included Samuel Mocke from Fish Hoek and Samuel Booysen from Clifton, alongside Eve Abrahams, also representing Fish Hoek. The championships served as crucial preparation for Team South Africa ahead of the upcoming Lifesaving World Championships.

The competition highlighted the depth of South Africa’s lifesaving talent, with participants competing across multiple age categories including U15, U17, U19, and Open divisions. Events ranged from traditional beach disciplines like flags and sprints to surf events including ironman, board races, and various rescue scenarios using equipment such as rescue boards and torpedo buoys.

Lifesaving SA, with over 8,000 members nationwide, operates one of the country’s most significant voluntary emergency response networks. The organization maintains more than 4,000 voluntary lifeguards stationed at over 60 coastal venues and 22 inland locations. To date, these dedicated volunteers have performed over 133,000 rescues and attend approximately 5,000 first aid cases annually, while training around 1,000 new lifeguards each year.

The championships not only celebrate competitive excellence but also underscore the critical role lifesaving organizations play in water safety education and drowning prevention across South Africa’s extensive coastline and inland water bodies.

Van Rooyen emphasized the collaborative effort required to stage the championships, particularly acknowledging the voluntary officials and safety teams who ensured the event’s success despite challenging conditions. The strong wind and surf on the final day tested competitors but showcased the resilience and skill that defines South African lifesaving sport.

The record-breaking performances by the nippers category signal a bright future for the sport, with young athletes demonstrating exceptional talent across pool-based rescue scenarios and technical skills that form the foundation of lifesaving sport.

As the dust settles on what organizers describe as a championship that “will be remembered for years to come,” attention now turns to international competition preparation and continued development of South Africa’s next generation of lifesaving athletes and volunteers.