Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club celebrates success at 2026 DHL Lifesaving South Africa Championships
This national event, which is considered one of the most important fixtures on the surf lifesaving calendar, brings together South Africa’s best nipper, junior, senior, and masters participants to test their skills in surf swimming, beach events, and lifesaving disciplines.
Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club enjoyed an exceptional showing at the 2026 DHL Lifesaving South Africa Championships, held at Kings Beach in Gqeberha, from Thursday, March 26 to Wednesday, April 1, where the club proudly secured seventh place overall against 22 of the country’s top lifesaving clubs.
This national event, which is considered one of the most important fixtures on the surf lifesaving calendar, brings together South Africa’s best nipper, junior, senior, and masters participants to test their skills in surf swimming, beach events, and lifesaving disciplines.
“The championships play a vital role in developing essential water safety skills, with many former nippers, juniors, and seniors going on to save lives along the country’s coastline. The club extends heartfelt congratulations to all its competitors for their dedication and sportsmanship displayed throughout the championships,” says Kirsten Cox, nipper coach at Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club.
Dedication and support saw Scottburgh’s young lifesavers make a big showing at the champs, returning home with an impressive haul of medals and national honours. They were led by this season’s team captains, Cruz Rivetti and Olivia Cox.
Cox says the club’s success was built on the collective effort of athletes, coaches, sponsors, families, and the wider Scottburgh community.
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Special recognition was also given to swim coach Owen Kuyper and the dedicated coaching team for their consistent efforts in developing athletes beyond regular Sunday training sessions.
Cox also made note of the critical role played by sponsors and the local community in enabling the team’s participation and success. Cox said, “The club raised over R100, 000 this season, with parents contributing more than R45, 000 through Sunday bacon and egg roll sales, and more than R30, 000 generated through a community-supported auction evening.”
She explained that these funds were invested in essential equipment, including 20 new bodyboards and one knee board, while Halfway Toyota generously donated four new knee boards.
“Our sincere thanks go to all our sponsors: Halfway Toyota, Halfway Lexus, the Daniels Family, Brangus Kissama, Buub, Renishaw Coastal Precinct, Buddee, Faw Trucks Durban, Ipanema, Scottburgh Family Clinic, AA Spice, 2nd Storey Advertising Solutions, and Africa Tanks,” she added.
Cox says this all reinforces the programme as a foundation for developing skilled watermen and women. She concluded, “This has shaped generations of lifesavers in our community. Many of our athletes have gone on to save lives, and competitions like these reinforce just how capable and prepared our young people are.”
Anyone who is keen to join the Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club or find out more information can contact coach Kirsten Cox on 082-855-1969. The next season will start on September 6, 2026.
