Notes From The Editor

by | Oct 11, 2021 | Notes From The Editor, St Francis

All images courtesy South African Surf Lifesaving Association/DHL

 

It was another big week and weekend for many St Francis residents. 

SA Lifesaving Championships

Last week the DHL Lifesaving SA Nippers and Masters National Championships took place at Kings Beach in Gqeberha. The St Francis crew were there, representing.

However, before the event began, the competitors were bolstered by the news that local lifesaving and swimming legend Amica De Jager had rewritten the record books in Durban at the senior Lifesaving Championships.

Amica won so many medals in an unprecedented streak and booked her spot in the ILS Africa Championship in Egypt in December.

In an article on IOL.com last week: “The 22-year-old De Jager, who won five individual golds, a team gold and an individual silver in the surf competition earlier this week, added more silverware in the Pool Championship taking place at Newton Park, and also got confirmation of selection for Team South Africa’s participation at the 2021 ILS Africa Championship in Alexandria, Egypt, from December 1-5.”

Full article here!

But back to King’s Beach and the St Francis competitors. 

In the Nippers event, St Francis was represented by Jess, Nicola and Danni Harcus, Ethan and Emma Darke, Brin Jarvis, Liam and Jamie Schweitzer, Zoe Harding, Sloane Warner, Jamie White, Hayley Holmes, James Reed and Milla Aylesbury. In the Masters, we had Lorrin Jarvis and Claudia and Brandon Harcus. 

They were all representing Summerstrand Surf Lifesaving Club, which ended up winning the entire event. All the results and photos can be viewed on the Summerstrand Surf Lifesaving Club Facebook page here!  

All images courtesy South African Surf Lifesaving Association/DHL

 

Former World Champion Longboarder JBay’s Steve Sawyer Competing In World Title Showdown.

The World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour World Title race will conclude with the Jeep® Malibu Classic presented by Havaianas at one of the sport’s proving grounds, Malibu, California’s First Point. On October 11 and 12, former WSL Longboard Champions and the next generation of competitors will vie for their respective World Titles.

Sawyer, world champion in 2018, will be surfing in heat 5 of the first round. 

Steven Sawyer of South Africa surfing in the Heat 3 of Round 1 of the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic on September 29, 2021 in Lemoore, CA, United States. (Photo by Thomas Lodin/World Surf League).

Border Historical Society Looking To Make Contact with Lynn Phillips From St Francis Bay

Message from Donald Davies, Committee Member Border Historical Society In East London.

Hi St Francis Today

I’m hoping you will know how I might contact Lynn Patricia Phillips from St Francis Bay. Formerly from Koonap River Farmers District, Grahamstown to Bedford, to Fort Beaufort area!

 Lynn relocated to St Francis Bay a few years ago. She hardly uses Facebook, and although I have had many conversations with her in the past about the history of that area of the Eastern Cape, I have been unable to establish a contact number.

 If anyone could assist me in making contact with Lynn, it would be most appreciated.  

 From Donald Davies, Committee Member, Border Historical Society In East London

 Phone 0824591254

 

Message from NSRI and Lifesaving SA

by | Dec 12, 2016 | St Francis

NSRI and Lifesaving SA working towards drowning prevention – Safety message:

Sea Rescue and Lifesaving SA are working with all rescue services in an effort to reduce the number of drownings in South Africa this summer season.

The 7 top safety tips for the Summer holidays that should always be top of mind are:

  1. Only swim at beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty. If lifeguards are not on duty do not swim.
  2. Swim only between the lifeguards red and yellow flags.
  3. Don’t drink alcohol and swim
  4. Don’t swim alone
  5. Competent adults supervision for children and barriers which prevent access to water are vital.
  6. Know what rip currents are and how to survive them
  7. Don’t attempt a rescue, call a lifeguard or dial 112 from any cell phone

Have a plan in place to prevent panic:

  • Make sure you have emergency numbers saved in your cell phone.  Dial 112 from any cell phone in any emergency.
  • Put the local Sea Rescue number in your phone http://www.nsri.org.za/emergency-numbers/
  • Check the wind, weather and tides before you go to the beach.
  • Tell someone where you are going and when you are due back, make sure they know your route.
  • When climbing on rocks or fishing from rocks – never ever turn your back on the sea.
  • If you are paddling or if you are on a boat download NSRI’s free SafeTrx app.   http://www.nsri.org.za/safetrx
  • Check that your craft and equipment are in good working order and carry the correct safety approvals and certifications and safety gear.
  • Wear a Life-Jacket at all times.
  • Store your communication devices,  cell-phone and VHF radio, with fully charged batteries in watertight plastic sleeves.
  • Carry red distress flares, a signaling mirror or CD disc, a referee’s whistle, a waterproof torch and wear the correct brightly coloured  gear, a hat and sunscreen and keep well hydrated.

Teach your children about rip currents:

  • Rip currents are the greatest cause of drowning accidents along our coast.
  • A rip current looks like a calm patch of water but is actually a river of water flowing fast out to sea against the incoming waves.
  • If you are caught in a rip-current you’ll be swept out to sea faster than you’re able to swim towards the shore.
  • Don’t panic or try to swim against the current.
  • As tough as this sounds, let the current take you out to sea.
  • Raise one arm in the air and wave and scream to alert people on the shore that you’re in trouble.
  • At the first chance you get … swim parallel to the beach until you’re free of the rip, then use the incoming waves to aid your progress to get back to shore

The biggest danger that people face on the beaches this summer are Rip currents.

See http://www.nsri.org.za/2015/09/beware-of-rip-currents/ for more on Rip currents

How to avoid rip currents

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