False Bay Surf Lifesaving Club (FBSLC) is hoping to find a new home that will ensure they can save more lives. The club reports having difficulty adapting to a temporary space after their former clubhouse was vandalised.

The club is now operating under the pavilion near the mini-golf course on Muizenberg Beach where the old ice-cream parlour used to be, according to former FBSLC founder Nicky Britz.

FBSLC chair Patrick Minter confirmed with People’s Post that their team was operating from a space which was “not suitable or sustainable for [their] lifesaving club to operate from”.

FBSLC is one of the oldest lifesaving clubs in South Africa, dating back to 1959 and is a registered non-profit voluntary organisation.

There are 50 lifeguards at the club, all volunteers, who provide lifesaving services in peak periods and offer a training ground for young “nippers”.

Sunrise Beach was the former “home beach” of FBSL but was plagued by years of vandalism.

In 2023 the club suffered many burglaries in which the motor of one of their rescue boats was reported stolen.

Challenges

The club has yet to replace the boat’s stolen motor.

“After losing our original clubhouse at Sunrise Beach to vandalism, the City of Cape Town condemned it and we were left without a home,” Minter said. “The only space available was the old kiosk at the pavilion which is not big enough for our members and storage for crafts and equipment.”

After a few meetings with the City at the Muizenberg Beach Office the club was given the small kiosk space under the pavilion as the only available space to operate from.

“The new space, albeit a space to operate from, is not adequate for us,” Milner said. “It’s not beach facing and with very limited storage. We’ve had a few meetings with city officials/local councillor to ask for more space but were told there is none. It would be helpful if the City will consider building/ providing a professional space for our lifeguards to operate from and also would be helpful in minimising response time in emergencies.”

Asked if the City was aware of the club’s grievances and could provide more clarity, he said: “the City is looking into the particulars of the enquiry and will respond in due course.”

Britz hoped the FBSLC would find a new clubhouse more better suited to their operations.

Fundraising

In the late ’90s the club had only two active lifeguards.

“FBSLC has a proud history running back to the ’60s. They produced several Springbok surf lifesavers and a world champion. Since the clubhouse at Sunrise beach fell into disrepair, we have been searching for a new clubhouse. All our lifesavers are volunteers and consider it a healthy worthwhile community service. The council has thought it prudent to stick us in a dark room under Muizenberg pavilion. Away from the beach visitors.”

The club is growing in members and FBSLC is hopeful of getting a big enough space overlooking the beach to operate from, according to Minter.

“We have asked for more space and hope the City will as part of the redevelopment/upgrades, provide us with a better space to continue saving lives.”

People’s Post reached out to Ward 45 councillor Mandy Marr for comment, but she could not respond before going to print.

The club have also kickstarted a fundraiser to gather funds to cover the costs of purchasing a new inflatable rescue boat.

For more information contact Patrick Minter at chairman@fbslc.org.za.