Nautical-themed talks enlighten at Stonecroft meeting
Gika Thaumuller and two of her team from Shelly Beach NSRI spoke on the work of the organisation.
The October Stonecroft meeting had a nautical feel with talks by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and Senzo Shange’s Wave of Hope.
Firstly though, David Alderson-Smith of Margate Pipe and Drums and his bagpipe brought Scotland firmly to the fore.
Resplendent in his uniform he opened, not surprisingly, with Scotland The Brave and followed with ‘Oh Come all Yea Faithful ‘ ready for the Christmas season.
Gika Thaumuller and two of her team from Shelly Beach NSRI enlightened the members on the extensive work of the NSRI which she explained also had six inland stations based around the country.
She added that unfortunately people often under estimated the dangers of inland water leading to devastating consequences.
The NSRI is based on the model of the British Royal National Lifeboat Institute. The Shelly Beach station usually has three craft but currently only two, a 7.3 metre and smaller 4.2 metre.
She explained that nationally there are 15 000 volunteers who all have to be extremely fit and receive extensive training to equip them for multiple situations.
Some volunteers go on to gain further qualifications and pursue a sea faring career, one former volunteer is now captain of a cruise liner.
Following a question on rip tides she said that they give talks to learners on the danger of rip tides and how to escape them.
Senzo Shange of Genesis Hope (Norwegian Settlers Church) inspired members with his testimony and his leadership role in The Wave of Hope Surf Academy.
He has recently taken a team to the South African Junior Championships in Jeffreys Bay.
Senzo shared that his early life was hard as he did not have the love of his father.
However, through the love of Jesus Christ he has been able to forgive his father and is slowly restoring that relationship and God in turn has raised him up to be a leader of young people.
He explained that the surf academy aims to use surfing as a tool to change the lives of young people in the community.
Community social workers advise Senzo of the children needing help and they are then encouraged to join the academy.
Forty children are assisted in the programme which is well rounded as they attend church, bible study groups and are expected to work hard at school
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