Lifesavers of Cape Town: ensuring beach safety this summer

The iconic shores of Cape Town are bracing for another scorching summer, but beneath the sun-drenched surface of leisure, a dedicated volunteer force stands ready. The Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club (CSLC) is the city's essential first line of defence against tragedy, upholding a phenomenal tradition of keeping our beaches drown-free.

With summer beckoning, the CSLC has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to public safety, preparing to patrol Cape Town’s stunning coastline and ensure beachgoers can enjoy their time at the shore with peace of mind.

The club's dedication is simply staggering. In the 2024-2025 season alone, its volunteer lifeguards clocked an impressive 6,540 voluntary hours on patrol. This tireless vigilance translated into concrete, life-saving actions: the CSLC recorded a total of 16 rescues over the season and responded to 66 first aid incidents, ranging from treating painful fractures and addressing hypothermia to handling severe cuts.

Yet, as with all preventative measures, one critical statistic remains impossible to record—the untold number of drowning incidents averted purely due to the sharp eyes and swift action of the lifeguards on duty.

Clifton has emerged as a beacon for aspiring lifesavers, successfully attracting and retaining a highly qualified team. The club’s outstanding reputation for excellence in rigorous training, dedicated mentorship, and selfless community service has made it the premier choice for lifeguarding in the region.

Paul Lassen, the Patrol Officer at CSLC, emphasised the club's commitment to culture. “We pride ourselves on our rigorous training programmes and the supportive environment fostered within the club,” he stated. “This commitment builds a strong culture of belonging and purpose, making Clifton one of the premier choices for lifeguarding.”

With the safety of beachgoers firmly in mind, the club's robust recruitment efforts have paid off handsomely; they are proud to have 124 fully qualified lifeguards ready for another bustling summer.

The Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club's history is rich with life-saving interventions, extending far beyond the water's edge.

Lassen highlighted the extensive role of their members: “Apart from service on the beach, we had multiple members either rescue members of the public in life-threatening situations or were the first to take action and provide first aid in incidents where no one around knew what to do. This serves as a valuable reminder that incidents and rescues can happen anywhere, at any time.”

This proactive ethos has woven a safety-first mindset into the very fabric of the club, leading to a remarkable safety record that is the envy of many coastal communities.

What drives so many members to sacrifice their summer weekends for volunteer lifeguarding? It is a deep-seated commitment to community service and a passion for water safety that fuels CSLC’s volunteers. Many find profound fulfilment in the knowledge that their efforts directly contribute to the public’s well-being.

This spirit of dedication is reinforced by a strong patrol culture that prioritises hands-on mentorship and continuous training. Last season, this mentorship saw the club welcome 59 new lifeguards, complete 102 retests, and qualify 17 junior lifeguards. Further impressive achievements include four IRB drivers and five crew qualifying, alongside Tanner Gorille’s elite qualification as a rescue helicopter swimmer on the AMS rescue helicopter.

As CSLC gears up for another busy summer, it remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard lives and promote water safety along Cape Town’s beloved beaches.