Nine experienced lifeguards have taken up positions across Overstrand’s beaches, lagoons and public swimming facilities to ensure visitor safety during the busy holiday season.
The team of local lifeguards, affectionately known as “homegrown boytjies”, will be on duty daily from 09:00 to 18:00 throughout the holiday period.
The roster includes Rodrigo Natus, Warren Fisher, Que Martin, Angelo Gillion, Jordan Gibson, William Roberts, Shaun Dee McCree, Menzi Ndovela and Jaydon Jacobs.
Their coverage extends across the municipality’s popular coastal destinations, including Blue Flag beaches, lagoons and the public swimming pool in Hawston. With sea temperatures currently at a pleasant 17°C and beaches already attracting many visitors taking advantage of sunny weather, the lifeguard presence provides crucial safety oversight. Municipal officials emphasise that beachgoers should swim only between the red and yellow flags, which mark safe, supervised swimming areas. Swimming outside these designated zones could expose visitors to dangerous currents and other hazards.
Additional safety guidelines include ensuring lifeguards maintain visual contact with swimmers, raising an arm to signal distress while remaining calm, and only swimming in areas with lifeguard supervision and safety signage.
For water-related emergencies, the public should contact NSRI Hermanus at 082 990 5967 or NSRI Kleinmond at 063 699 2765. Other emergencies can be reported to the Municipality’s 24-hour Emergency Fire & Rescue Service on 028 312 2400. Day-to-day law enforcement complaints should be directed to 028 313 8996, while general enquiries and service delivery emergencies can be handled through Overstrand’s Contact Centre on 028 313 8000/8111.
Non-life-threatening service requests can be submitted through the municipal Citizen App. The deployment of familiar faces reflects the municipality’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards while using local expertise and community knowledge during the peak tourism season.
