Lifesaving South Africa

Last updated

Lifesaving South Africa
AbbreviationLSA
PredecessorSouth African Surf Lifesaving Union, South African Lifesaving Association
Formation2003;21 years ago (2003)
Type NPO
PurposePromote water safety, prevent drowning incidents, and train qualified lifeguards to save lives in South Africa's aquatic environments.
Headquarters Durban
Location
Region served
South Africa
President
Dhaya Sewduth
Vice President
Warren Prins
General Manager
Helen Herbert
Affiliations International Life Saving Federation
Website www.lifesaving.co.za

Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) is a South African organisation that promotes water safety and provides surf rescue services. LSA is a founding member organisation of the International Life Saving Federation, [1] and a member of Royal Life Saving Society. It is recognised by DSAC and SASCOC. [2]

Contents

Lifesaving South Africa organises national competitions such as the South African Lifesaving Surf National Championships, [3] [4] that involves various lifesaving events, including sea, board and beach competitions. LSA also sends representative teams to compete in international competitions. [5]

History

Lifesaving officially began in South Africa around 1911 after Sir William Henry, who was at the time, the Secretary of Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) toured all member countries of the Commonwealth to establish branches of the RLSS. The inaugural lifeguard awards in South Africa subsequently started in 1913, with the RLSS retaining control of lifesaving activities till 1961 when South Africa established the South African Life Saving Society (SALS). [6] In Durban, the first lifesaving club, Durban Surf Lifesaving Club was established in 1927, [7] while the Surf Lifesaving Association of South Africa (SLASA) was established in 1933. [6]

SALS became an affiliate of Fédération Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique (FIS), now International Life Saving Federation (ILS), but was suspended in 1970 due to agitations against the apartheid policies of the government, only to be re-admitted in 1978. [6] SLASA was among the pioneering seven national organisations that established International Surf Lifesaving Council in 1958. Subsequently, a new international body called World Life Saving (WLS) was established in 1971, but became abrogated in 1994 after its unification with FIS, leading to the establishment of a new international organisation, known as the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS). SALS had a name change to South African National Water Safety Council effected in 1980, then subsequently merged with SLASA to become South African Lifesaving (SAL) in 1984. South African Surf Lifesaving Union (SASLU) was founded by some 'black' affiliates of SLASA, whose participation in competitions was encumbered with many restrictions. St. Georges Strand became the initial lifesaving club to withdraw membership in 1977, prompting other clubs to follow in its footsteps. Four of the members of the aforementioned St. Georges Strand visited Cape Province and Natal Province to begin the establishment of SASLU in 1980. [6]

LSA came into existence when two associations, the South African Surf Lifesaving Union (SASLU) together with the South African Lifesaving Association (SA Lifesaving), merged to establish one united governing body to control all lifesaving associations working in South Africa in May 2013. Lifesaving South Africa members are volunteers and they patrol majority of the South African coastline and beaches in addition to the inland resorts, and public events that are held during holidays and weekends. LSA’s main aims are the protection of bathers from drowning in water related incidents, [8] as well as lifesaving and lifesaving sport.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surf lifesaving</span> Beach surf lifesaving volunteers

Surf lifesaving is a multifaceted social movement that comprises key aspects of voluntary lifeguard services and competitive surf sport. Originating in early 20th century Australia, the movement has expanded globally to other countries, including New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Surf lifesavers in Australia are colloquially known as "Clubbies".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifeguard</span> Profession

A lifeguard is a rescuer who supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, beach, spa, river and lake. Lifeguards are trained in swimming and CPR/AED first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on requirements of their particular venue. In some areas, lifeguards are part of the emergency services system to incidents and in some communities, lifeguards may function as the primary EMS provider.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surf ski</span> Light boat that is paddled

A surfski is a type of kayak in the kayaking "family" of paddling craft. It is generally the longest of all kayaks and is a performance oriented kayak designed for speed on open water, most commonly the ocean, although it is well suited to all bodies of water and recreational paddling.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK is a drowning prevention charity founded in 1891 in the UK. It has had Royal Patronage since 1904.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surf Life Saving New Zealand</span>

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is the national association representing 74 Surf Life Saving Clubs in New Zealand. The organisation's motto is 'In it for Life'. This refers to both the long relationship many members have with the organisation, as well as to the organisation's purpose of preventing drowning and injury, thereby saving lives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Life Saving Federation</span> Umbrella organization of the national lifesaving organizations

The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) is an organisation for drowning prevention, water safety, lifesaving and lifesaving sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surf Life Saving Australia</span>

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is an Australian not-for-profit community organisation that promotes water safety and provides surf rescue services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifesaving</span> Act involving rescue, resuscitation and first aid

Lifesaving is the act involving rescue, resuscitation and first aid. It often refers to water safety and aquatic rescue; however, it could include ice rescue, flood and river rescue, swimming pool rescue and other emergency medical services. Lifesaving also refers to sport where lifesavers compete based on skills, speed and teamwork. Lifesaving activities specialized in oceanic environment is called surf lifesaving or coastal lifesaving.

The Royal Life Saving Society - Commonwealth is the umbrella organisation that links together lifesaving societies in the Commonwealth of Nations. The RLSS-Commonwealth organises the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships. The Society hosts the Quinquennial Commonwealth Conference and Lifesaving Championships.

The ILS World Life Saving Championships are the world championships for lifesaving sport events. They are sanctioned by the International Life Saving Federation (ILS), conducted every 2 years, and formerly marketed and known as the ‘Rescue’ series, for example – Rescue 2008.

The Surf Life Saving Association of Wales (SLSAW) is the national governing body of surf lifesaving in Wales. It is a voluntary, not-for-profit, registered charity organisation. Its goal is "to prevent the loss of life through drowning". The SLSAW organise regional and national competitions—such as the SLSA Wales Stillwater Leagues and the SLSA Wales Ocean Masters Championships – and select and manage the Wales squad for international events, including the Celtic Challenge Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surfing South Africa</span> Governing body for the sport of surfing in South Africa

Surfing South Africa (SSA) is the governing body for the sport of surfing in South Africa, and a recognised member of the world governing body, the International Surfing Association (ISA). SSA is also an affiliate of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), which, alongside Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) supervises all organised sport in South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African National Boxing Organisation</span> South African National Boxing Organisation

South African National Boxing Organisation (SANABO) is the organisation that governs boxing (or olympic style boxing) for men and women in South Africa. South African National Boxing Organisation is affiliated to the International Boxing Association (AIBA), along with the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC). SANABO is also affiliated to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), and Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA). It organises national competitions such as the SANABO Elite National Championships and the SANABO Boxing League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African Shooting Sport Confederation</span> South African union for sport shooting

South African Shooting Sport Confederation (SASSCo) formerly known as South African Shooting Sport Federation (SASSF) is the governing body for shooting sports in South Africa. SASSCo is the highest body responsible for the development and promotion of target shooting sports in South Africa. SASSCo is registered with both SASCOC and Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) as the officially recognised overall federation for shooting sports in South Africa, and is also affiliated to the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and the African Shooting Sport Federation (ASSF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African Wushu Federation</span>

The South African Wushu Federation (SAWF) is the national governing body for the development and promotion of the sport of wushu also known as kung fu in South Africa. The Federation was formed in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tenpin Bowling Association of South Africa</span>

The Tenpin Bowling Association of South Africa (TBASA) is the recognised official governing body of the sport of ten-pin bowling in South Africa. It is the sanctioning body recognised by World Bowling, the sport's world governing body to organise competitions in South Africa, and is responsible for the growth and development of the sport. It is also affiliated to European Tenpin Bowling Federation, Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Federation, as well as SASCOC. TBASA is responsible for the award of official coaching qualifications for the sport in South Africa.

South African National Climbing Federation(SANCF) is the governing body for competition climbing, involving competition lead climbing, competition bouldering and competition speed climbing in South Africa. SANCF oversees competitive climbing across the country as well as the promotion and development of the sport in artificial climbing environments. SANCF is affiliated to the world body International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) with full member status, and SASCOC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DanceSport South Africa</span>

DanceSport South Africa (DanceSport SA) (DSSA), formerly the Federation of Dance Sport South Africa (FEDANSA), is the governing body for dancesport and related dance styles in South Africa. It is an full member of the world governing body World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) and recognised by SASCOC. DanceSport SA is the sole custodian and controlling body of organised dancesport in South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifesaving (sport)</span>

Lifesaving is an official discipline of the World Games, the Games with all the sports, recognized by the IOC but not yet in the Olympic program.

References

  1. ↑ "International Life Saving Federation". ILSF. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  2. ↑ "Lifesaving South Africa". SASCOC. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  3. ↑ "2017 South African Lifesaving Surf National Championships". nsri.org.za. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  4. ↑ "General Tire Lifesaving SA Surf Jnr/Snr National Championships". capetownetc.com. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  5. ↑ "SA lifesaving queen Maritz eyeing gold in Japan". iol.co za. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "History". LSA. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  7. ↑ "Lifesaving club celebrates nine decades". bereamail.co.za. October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  8. ↑ "Royal Life Saving Society". RLSS. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.