SSLSC Is Responsible for Ensuring the Safety of the General Public Who Bathe on the Scottburgh Beach
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SCOTTBURGH SURF LIFESAVING CLUB AFFILIATED TO LIFESAVING SA LIFESAVING KZN AND LIFESAVING ASSOCIATION KZN SOUTH P.O Box 687 Scottburgh 4180 NPO REGISTRATION NUMBER: 036-412 NPO Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club was established in 1932 and is situated on the South Coast of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa The SSLSC is responsible for ensuring the safety of the general public who bathe on the Scottburgh Beach. We are affiliated to Lifesaving South Africa and Lifesaving Kwa-Zulu Natal and aside from the voluntary duties we perform ensuring the safety of all ocean and beach users, we are also a competitive club that participates in Inter Club and Inter Provincial Lifesaving Competitions. The club comprises of boys and girls from the age of 6 to 13 (Nippers), 14 upwards who compete as Juniors and Seniors, as well as Masters, who compete in all higher age groups. The competitive side of Lifesaving was designed to test skills and fitness ensuring Lifeguards were fit and ready throughout the year. Over the years SSLSC has had a number of members go on to receive National Honours and represent South Africa. There is also a “Learn to Swim” element of the club which we hope to focus on through this funding to encourage previously disadvantaged members of our greater community to become lifeguards. Further to this, in these very uncertain times becoming a Lifeguard opens up employment possibilities as there is a demand for the employment of South African Lifeguards both locally and overseas in places such as Dubai, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. Although activities and training take place in the surf, much of the preparation is done in a swimming pool. The club needs to use the municipal pool on the beach for all training but unfortunately this pool is in poor repair. We have, therefore as a club made a proposal to the Umdoni Municipality to upgrade the facility. The lack of funds in our small town is a major problem and I would, therefore, like to investigate the possibility of applying for funding from your organisation. SSLSC currently enjoys a good relationship with the Umdoni Municipality and their Beach Manager which should assist in streamlining the process. The proposal which the club has put forward to the municipality is the following: THE FINEST THING A MAN CAN DO IS TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A FELLOW BEING SCOTTBURGH SURF LIFESAVING CLUB AFFILIATED TO LIFESAVING SA LIFESAVING KZN AND LIFESAVING ASSOCIATION KZN SOUTH P.O Box 687 Scottburgh 4180 NPO REGISTRATION NUMBER: 036-412 NPO Proposal for the Scottburgh Beach Swimming Pools The swimming pools at the Scottburgh Beach are very popular facilities and could become an even more sought after attraction in future. At present the pool is, unfortunately, almost dysfunctional and I believe a huge safety hazard and contravenes the law for swimming pools in South Africa, as it is not fenced off from the public etc. There have been a few very serious incidents in the past which have highlighted the dilemma the community face. For the above reasons, I would like to propose a complete refurbishment of the facility along the following lines: 1) The swimming pools need to be fenced off securely from the public, with only one entrance. It needs to be locked when Life Guards are not on duty. 2) The entrance needs to be supervised during operation hours to ensure that children don't wonder into the pools, food and drink aren't brought into the swimming area and all bathers wash beach sand off their bodies before entering the water. 3) Two lifeguards need to be on duty at the swimming pools during operation hours to ensure the safety of swimmers and to manage activities. They will need a Life Saving Tower to operate from. 4) The pools should remain sea water facilities but need to run on a filter system (a swimming pool specialist will need to quote on such a system). This will allow the pool to be functional seven days per week. There needs to be a pool cleaner on duty 5 days per week to clean the pool and surrounds on an ongoing basis. 5) The shape of the pool could be changed slightly to facilitate a 25m training area within the pool, leaving the majority of the pool open to be used as a recreational area (I suggest the north eastern corner) if sufficient funding is available. The pool surface needs to be refurbished, with clearly demarcated lanes in the training area. This would enable the lifesavers and members of the public wishing to train a measured and managed area in which to swim. 6) The Baby Pool can remain as it is at present and the possibility of a small lecture room built to serve as an instruction area for our “Learn to Swim” programme. THE FINEST THING A MAN CAN DO IS TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A FELLOW BEING SCOTTBURGH SURF LIFESAVING CLUB AFFILIATED TO LIFESAVING SA LIFESAVING KZN AND LIFESAVING ASSOCIATION KZN SOUTH P.O Box 687 Scottburgh 4180 NPO REGISTRATION NUMBER: 036-412 NPO I realize the cost of the changes, as well as, the running costs of such a facility would be high but this will give the Scottburgh Beach a facility to compare with other KZN beaches, such as Durban, Winklespruit, Umgababa and Margate. It will also ensure that the swimming area confirms with the law, is safe for children, as well as for adults who are not good swimmers. If this option is viable to yourselves and with buy in from the municipality, I will gladly investigate further and obtain quotations for all work that needs to be done. I will also draw up a working document of how I suggest the pool should be managed and the costs involved. I would appreciate it if you could after reading our proposal inform me if an application from the Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club would be considered by your organisation. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely Owen Kuyper Training Officer - SSLSC +27 82 7859045 [email protected] Alternatively: Gordon Gardner Chairman – SSLSC +27 82 066 9864 [email protected] THE FINEST THING A MAN CAN DO IS TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A FELLOW BEING .