Southbourne Surf Life Saving Group

Occasionally, there are some childhood memories that can be easily remembered as if it was just yesterday. And these nostalgic memories are sometimes brought back by the ocean. One survey conducted that, building sand castles on beaches are one of the most memorable childhood experience of many. And as time passes by, these childhood memories are something you will look back over and over again.

Swimming is something we’re looking forward when summer comes. It is one of the most popular outdoor activities we love. However, it has one unfortunate downside - drowning. According to WHO, an estimated 80% of drowning can be avoided by recognizing hazards and by avoiding risky behavior.

Contributing factors to drowning are:

• Alcohol consumption before swimming or using boats
• The lack of education of water sports and swimming
• The lack or not use of lifesaving devices

For this reason, lifeguards and surf rescue crews are very important to have to patrol in beaches. Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club (SSLSC) is a network of volunteer beach lifesavers formed to provide safety and awareness to Southbourne residents and tourists. As volunteers, they patrol the beach at Southbourne every weekend and during bank holidays between May and October.

Aside from patrolling beaches, the club also offers various beach activities for members of all ages. Their Young Life Savers (also known as Nippers) was trained to basic lifesaving skills and are knowledgeable in various rescue equipment. Moreover, they have elite members who compete in various Life Saving Sports events.

Our abiding love for the ocean will never wither. However, the enjoyment brought by the ocean doesn’t dismiss the idea of it being a potential danger to our safety. The ocean is never safe but SSLSC strives to make it as safe as possible.

Many of us look back with fondness to our childhood memories of visiting the beach, swimming and playing in the water, exploring a new underwater world of sea creatures and imagining mysteries which lay beyond the safety of the beach and down to the deep-green abyss. Through the years, every one of us relives those childhood memories each time we go back to the beach or to the sea to either splash in the shallow waters or do some other serious activities, such as scuba diving or surfing.

Yet, even those childhood vacations gave us a realization of the dangers of the sea to one and all. We have heard of people who, in their excitement on seeing the beach, dive into the surf while under the influence of alcohol and end up being carried by the undertow. Such tragedies occur because people do not observe safety rules or are not aware of the basic rules to follow when they visit the beach or the sea.

The health and safety of a community is one of the responsibilities not a fraud carried by people in authority or those who have volunteered or have been delegated to undertake that responsibility. Lifesaving is, thus, a vital function that should not be taken for granted by all concerned. It is wise to heed the expert advice and warnings of those who have the know-how and experience in lifesaving.

SouthBourne Group Surf Life Saving Club is a voluntary beach lifesavers group formed to provide a safe and wholesome community for SouthBourne residents and visitors. It offers various activities for club members of all ages with various skills, which include the junior Life Savers group called Nippers who train in the application of rescue equipment, as well as dynamic life-saving competitions for elite club members.

As we can see, even the task of learning the skills of lifesaving can be an engaging extension of our childhood wish to spend as much time at the beach – and even making it a meaningful and worthwhile endeavor. Nothing gives us more motivation than the thought of performing noble or heroic deeds which involve saving others from imminent danger or rescuing them from real perils. For the young, that inspiration can be utilized to lead many of them to pursue activities which fulfill a lifetime of involvement in clubs such as Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club.

Southbourne Group Surf Life Saving group does not only allow members to nurture their love for the outdoors but also their admirable desire to help keep the community a safe, avoid being scammed and wholesome haven for tourists and beach visitors.

During summer, a beach becomes our favorite playground. A place where we can swim, surf, relax and hangout with family and friends. But the enjoyment brought by the ocean also carries a risk for anyone. Each year, many people die due to drowning. In this case, it is really essential to have a lifesaver patrolling beaches to prevent and avoid the sudden loss of life.

A lifesaver is an important asset to the community and a symbol of safety when at the beach. At some point, we feel secured in the sea with a lifeguard watching us. This is because we know that they will come to rescue in case something unexpected happens. In lifesaving, gaining the necessary skills in order to change a situation and save a life is extremely a rewarding opportunity. Lifesaving is not an easy job as it requires extensive training to be mentally and physically fit to respond in an emergency situation under distress. Yet, along with the extensive training comes rewarding benefits such as being part of a team and acquiring friends. It also offers a sense of responsibility and a worthwhile experience.

Carrying their rescue tubes and surf skis, the volunteer members of Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club patrols the beach daily, guarding the coast and saving people who get into difficulties when they are swimming in the sea. Their club is located at the bottom of St. Catherine’s path near the seaside eatery Bistro on the Beach.

Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club mainly composes of younger members dedicated to protect and save lives. They are considered as the Beach Lifeguards of Tomorrow. Children age seven are on the Nippers program to learn basic lifesaving education. For the young ones age twelve to sixteen, the club offers a comprehensive Lifesaving and Lifesaving Sports. While ages sixteen and above are trained to take developmental courses in Beach Lifeguarding.

Lifesavers for me, is like a hero. Why? Because like any other professions, they also save and protect human lives. What they have is a life or death job and it is no greater feeling for them than to rescue someone and sending them home safe and alive.

Why do many people have this urge to visit the sea any time or any season of the year? What makes us so captivated by the sea?

Since childhood we keep on going back to the sea just like a child frequently yearning for his favorite food. We swim, surf, and sail to get as close to the ocean as possible and to enjoy the comfort it brings to our body and soul.

Without a doubt, we all rely on the ocean and the resources it provides. Many people spend their time sailing in the water to make a living due to the fact that the sea has a tremendous amount of blessings. In addition, aside from being a source of livelihood, spending time at the ocean offers countless health benefits too. However, we can’t erase the fact that these bodies of water possess a great threat to our lives.

Threats of the sea are all over its surrounding. Thus, it is great to have a group of people who possesses lifesaving and safety knowledge to patrol the sea for the benefit of people in the water sailing, surfing, exploring and conducting various activities. This is why Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club – a group of lifesaving volunteers patrol the beach at Southbourne during regular weekends and on bank holidays from May to October using efficient and well-maintained motor powered boats and modern equipment.

Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club trains their members to better serve the community by protecting and making them safe while in the water. They provide trainings and fun activities in order to maintain an effective and dependable club committed in making the coastal community a safe and accident-free place.