The South African under-23 surfboat team, comprising three members from Durban Surf Lifesaving Club (DSLSC) and two members from Pirates Lifesaving Club, made waves this weekend when they raced DSLSC’s new Huletts Surfboat in the 6 Nations International Surf Lifesaving competitions.
The competition was held in Durban and consisted of nine races over three days. There was great excitement on Sunday, the last day of the competition, when the under-23 team came in ahead of the SA Senior team in two out of three races!
This team got their new surfboat just a few weeks before the competition, and trained hard to race against the visiting teams, including Australia, the current world champions.
Surfboating is an exhilarating sport that uses pure paddle-power to race through the ocean. The crew consists of four rowers and one sweep, who steers the surfboat. According to Brent Coetsee, the under-23 team’s sweep, “Surfboating is one of the most exciting sports around and it always draws a big crowd. We will be holding monthly competitions, and hope to have more details of those soon.”
Huletts has been a sponsor of DSLSC since 2007 and its contribution assists with a number of club expenses, including the purchase and maintenance of craft and equipment.
“We really take our hats off to Huletts for getting involved in such a great community organisation,” says Coetsee, “Lifesaving is voluntary, so it’s a great way for people to help their community.” He added that lifesaving was also a fantastic sport for kids, combining running, swimming and surf craft (surfski, malibu board and body board.) with learning ocean skills. Nippers (age 8 – 14) can even learn how to recognise rips and washes and keep themselves and their communities safe in the ocean. Nippers are also taught basic first aid skills including resuscitation and CPR.
Durban Surf Lifesaving Club was established in 1927 and is the oldest lifesaving club in South Africa. Today, the Club has a membership base of over 400 adults and 100 nippers. For more information on membership and club activities, DSLSC can be contacted on 031 337 0448 or secretary@durbansurf.co.za
