SA CHAMPS 2019

Dylan Tommy

President – Lifesaving SA

I would like to welcome all our competitors, officials, parents and supporters to the 2019 national championships. Once again we have the whole lifesaving sport family in one city, where over the course of this week we will again see over 1600 competitors in action both at the pool and the beach.

I wish all the competitors the best of luck, but would like to remind all competitors, young and old, that these championships act as a reward for your dedication to the lifesaving service we provide and that its primary aim is to improve your lifesaving skills. I would also like to remind our nippers and their supporters that nippers are about fun in the sun and making lifelong friends. It is therefore very important to the management of Lifesaving South Africa that all the competitors at these championships compete with a spirit of sportsmanship and fair play.

To Lifesaving Nelson Mandela Bay, the organising committee and everyone who has played a part in making these championships possible. I know it is a huge ask to put five of our national championships together into one event over one week, but the venue could not be better. The Nelson Mandela Bay team has never let us down in the past and I know these championships will be as spectacular as those hosted to date.

To the officials, these championships will be very demanding and I fully acknowledge that without you we cannot host these events. I therefore extend a huge thank you to you for your time and dedication to the sport of lifesaving.

To General Tire, Wimpy, aQuellè and other sponsors who have generously contributed to the success of this event – I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you on behalf of all the members of Lifesaving South Africa. To Treble and all the support services – thank you.

A special mention to our host city Nelson Mandela Bay, thank you for your contribution and welcoming the lifesaving family to your home.

To the head office staff who have tirelessly worked behind the scenes – I extend thanks from all the members for the hard work put into this event.

Cnclr Bobani

Mayor Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

On behalf of the Council of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the Mayoral Committee and all residents, I extend my warmest welcome to all participants, their managers, the organisers, coaches and supports who have descended on the beautiful Bay to participate in the 2019 South African Lifesaving Championships.

We fully recognise the importance of this event, not only to the lifesavers themselves, but also to all South African communities, families and kids who use the sea and water for recreational and professional purposes. No doubt the strict training regime and prospect of these Championships has inspired many lifesavers all over the country to further hone their skills and lift their standards – to the benefit of the nation.

Visiting sportsmen and -women always remark on our wonderful weather (Nelson Mandela Bay is said to have the fourth-best coastal climate in the world!).  Our residents are accustomed to temperate champagne-type weather, and the temperature of our sea encourages swimming for many months of the year.

National Championships of the stature of this one requires precision, planning and organisation.  I am happy to state that the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will provide logistical and other support to Lifesaving SA to deliver very successful Championships. 

With a very strong field, and organisation running like a well-oiled machine, the Bay is set for a dynamic and exciting event.

I trust that our visiting lifesavers, support teams and spectators will thoroughly enjoy their brief stay in Nelson Mandela Bay and that they will find time to undertake some sight-seeing among our beautiful historic old buildings and many other attractions.

May you reach your best performance and may the months of preparation and hard work pay off!

Welcome in Nelson Mandela Bay once again!

Ian Langlands

Head of Marketing and Sales, Southern Africa, Continental Tyre SA

The General Tire brand is synonymous with adventure and possibilities as we believe that anything is possible.

Sponsoring and investing in Lifesaving South Africa’s National Championships is an extension of this mindset. Through their performance at the respective Provincial Championships, the participants have consistently shown us that anything is possible in the water and on the beach.

As General Tire enters its third year as the head sponsor of Lifesaving South Africa, we are encouraged to see the impact that our investment has made – in both the sport and water safety side of Lifesaving.

Port Elizabeth, the home of General Tire, a brand of Continental Tyre, hosted both the nipper and the junior and senior SA Championship events in 2018, making it a historic year for the city and LSA.

Port Elizabeth becoming synonymous with adventure and water sports is the city’s sports philosophy, and it doesn’t get bigger than the Lifesaving SA surf and pool extravaganza, which will see General Tire and Lifesaving South Africa play host to thousands of competitors from across the country in over 500 events.

Our wish for every single competitor is that they enjoy this stage that has been set for them to perform on, as they compete with the best that our country has to offer – their passion, determination and sacrifices along the way, are what have lead them to this point – we commend you all!

Jacques Cronje
Marketing Executive – Wimpy

As a first-time sponsor of Lifesaving South Africa, we are honoured and thrilled to be part of this iconic championship event. We would also like to welcome everyone that is participating in the championships as well as the supporters at large.

As a brand that is centred around family and creating moments that are worth sharing, Wimpy knows that many South African families create a great deal of memories on our beautiful beaches and it is because of the selfless as well as brave women and men that all of this is possible.

We hope that our support for Lifesaving South Africa will further enable the lifesaving community to save lives, prevent drowning and promote water safety.

All the best to all the participants and may you all enjoy the competition.

Ryk Neethling

CEO – Princess Charlene Foundation SA

On behalf of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa, I wish to welcome everyone to the General Tire Lifesaving SA National Championships, the premier event for SA’s lifesavers. 

Sport has the power to inspire young people and transform lives. This is the central idea that prompted the launch of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa. Our aim is simple, to teach everyone how to swim and be safe in and around water. We also appreciate the values instilled by sport and encourage activity participation.

H.S.H Princess Charlene of Monaco was appointed Patron of Lifesaving SA in 2017.  The partnership between the two organisations strengthened the promotion of water safety and supports the foundations’ popular ‘Learn To Swim’ projects in South Africa.

On behalf of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa, I thank Life Saving South Africa, the Treble group and other sponsors for your support in promoting water safety and preventing drowning.

Good luck and enjoy the competition.

Earl Ingram

Chairman Lifesaving Nelson Mandela Bay

On behalf of Lifesaving Nelson Mandela Bay and all our local clubs, we would like to extend a warm welcome all out of town clubs to our friendly city Port Elizabeth. If you think the 2018 GTLSA National Championship was awesome then you are in for a surprise because 2019 GTLSA National Championship is going to be even better.

As usual Kings Beach Surf Lifesaving Club will be transforming the beach front into a world class competition arena. Not to mention the entertainment line-up they have planned. Huge amounts of planning and hard work has gone into hosting this event. Thank you to our beach hosts Kings Beach Surf Lifesaving Club and Bluewater Bay Surf Lifesaving Club for their hard work they have put in.

This year the pool LOC brought in professional help for officials catering and the tuck shop. Well renowned for the best pies in Port Elizabeth, Continental Butchery will take care of all the catering needs at the pool including Masterton’s Coffee. Thank you to our pool hosts Seagulls, Hobie Beach and New Brighton Beach Surf Lifesaving Club for the hard work you have put in to make the event a success.

To Lifesaving South Africa, General Tire, Wimpy, Treble Group and our very own Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality we are more than thankful. Without your valuable contribution and sponsorship an event of such calibre would not be possible. Thank you very much for making it possible.

To all technical officials especially at the pool there will be a bar to unwind and fellowship after our daily official duties. This year I can only repeat myself when I say you deserve much more credit for what you are getting. Officiating for a full week is not easy at all. Good luck and strength for Nationals. 

To all competitors from nippers to masters I salute you. Together we can grow this sport beyond measures. Without you there is no National Championships to host. Without you there is no hope for future growth for the sport of lifesaving. Remember that not all of us can be winners but all of us can be good sportsmen. Compete in the spirit of lifesaving and have an amazing National Championship.

May the best team win!