Members of the Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club woke last Saturday morning, to the sad news that one of their legendary members, Mike Liddle (1939 – 2022), had passed away.

Mike was a well-known and recognisable beachgoer, who started most days of his life by joining his friends for a swim from Back Beach, around the point rocks to Main Beach.

Mike was born in England and moved to South Africa with his family as a youngster – his father ran the Beach Store on Scottburgh beach.

Mike raised his family and worked in the printing industry in Johannesburg. While living there he remained involved with the lifesaving club and performed many hours of duty as a lifeguard on Scottburgh beach.

He became the president of the Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club in 2016.  When not swimming in the ocean, he also spent many happy hours (very successfully) fishing on his paddle-ski, having landed his last king mackerel or ‘couta’ as they are known locally, late in his 70s.

Mike, with his lifelong friend Russell Lawson started the Coffee Club many years ago and his presence at the morning gatherings will be sorely missed.

Away from the beach, Mike was super fit and besides his love for running (he completed 10 Comrades Marathons), he also enjoyed riding his bicycle around the roads and pathways in the Scottburgh area. In recognition for his contribution to lifesaving and to the SSLSC, Mike was awarded Honorary Life President in 2020.

A true gentleman, Mike always had a cheerful greeting for the folk he met on the beach while running, and later walking, to Black Rock (often with his dog Chilly).

Some of the memories and sentiments from club members over the past few days:

• He was a short man with a big heart.
• Mike will be missed – he was a true inspiration to the young and old Scottburgh locals.
• Mike – the eternal optimist.
• The sparkle in his eye and his warm smile always made one feel welcome.
• Always a welcoming smile and words of wisdom.
• It’s the end of an era.
• It was a privilege to have known this real gentleman.
• Mike has left an ‘unfillable’ hole in our lives.
• A truly sad day – he was instrumental in shaping me as a person.
• I am totally shattered – wish I could have spoken to him one last time.
• We have lost a great gentleman.

The one word that comes up repeatedly in messages is the word: Legend!

Members of the lifesaving club as well as the Scottburgh community will miss Mike’s presence and join together in conveying their most sincere condolences to Mike’s wife Candace, his son Michael, daughter Angela and his brother Peter.

May our dear friend, gentleman and legend rest in peace.

By Owen Kuyper – vice-chairman of the club.

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