SOUTH Africa’s oldest lifesaving club, Durban Surf Lifesaving Club, turned 98 last weekend.

“It is a true honour to be able to celebrate this milestone, and we look forward to a much bigger celebration in 2027 for our 100th birthday,” said the club manager, Jay-Cee Thomson.

He continued, “Durban Surf Lifesaving Club, like many others, is a Public Benefit Organisation that depends on donations and sponsorships to remain operational. At present, we do not have a sponsor, and this puts pressure on the club’s ability to continue serving the community. Our dedicated volunteers provide over 11 700 hours of service each year, ensuring the safety of the bathing public at North Beach every weekend and on public holidays. We also manage and co-ordinate lifesaving duty squads. To keep this vital work going, we are looking for the support of a sponsor and appeal to individuals or organisations willing to help us protect lives and maintain our services.”

Thomson added, “We have been protecting our shores since 1927, training generations of lifesavers and creating a legacy that continues to inspire. Here’s to nearly a century of saving lives, building friendships, and making waves.”
Durban Surf Lifesaving Club was formed on Tuesday, June 28, 1927 at a meeting in the Mayor’s parlour and is proud to be recognised as the first lifesaving club to be formed in SA.

The club is now a globally recognised powerhouse in the world of Surf Lifesaving, first touring internationally when the sports embargo was lifted in 1993 and going on to dominate the world by winning two World Club Championships in 1998 and 2004, captained and coached by the present SA Swimming coach Graham Hill, along with Brett Pengelly and Julian Taylor.

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