Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club enjoyed an exceptional showing at the 2026 DHL Lifesaving South Africa Championships, held at Kings Beach in Gqeberha, from Thursday, 26 March to Wednesday, 1 April , where the club proudly secured 7th place overall against 22 of the country’s top lifesaving clubs.
This national event, which is considered one of the most important fixtures on the surf lifesaving calendar, brings together South Africa’s best Nipper, Junior, Senior, and Masters participants to test their skills in surf swimming, beach events, and lifesaving disciplines.
“The championships play a vital role in developing essential water safety skills, with many former Nippers, Juniors and Seniors going on to save lives along the country’s coastline,” says Kirsten Cox, nipper coach at Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club. “The club extends heartfelt congratulations to all its competitors for their dedication and sportsmanship displayed throughout the championships.”
Outstanding Individual Performances
Dedication and support saw Scottburgh’s young lifesavers make a big showing at the champs, returning home with an impressive haul of medals and national honours. They were led by this season’s team captains, Cruz Rivetti and Olivia Cox.
In the Juniors Division, Scottburgh was represented by Holleigh Van Achterbergh, Bella Edwards, Sam Diamond, Cruz Rivetti, Reece Ruiter, Bastiaan Prinsloo, and Noah Harding.
Leading the charge were Cruz Rivetti and Olivia Cox, this year’s team captains. The 2026 South African Nipper Surf Competitors of the Series in the U12 Boys Cruz Roberts and U13 Girls divisions, Olivia Cox.
Olivia delivered a dominant performance in her category, claiming gold in the Ironwoman, Surf Swim, Board, and Run Swim Run, along with bronze in Flags and Sprints. Cruz matched this momentum with silver medals in Surf Swim, Run Swim Run, and Sprints, and bronze in Flags, Board, and Body Board.
Blake Killoran also stood out in the U13 Boys division, earning silver in the Long Run, Board, and Body Board, and finishing 3rd overall in his age group.
In another highlight, nipper rookie Joshua Zietsman surprised seasoned competitors by sprinting to gold in the U13 Boys division; Tatum Cox secured bronze in the U10 Girls Body Board event; and Reece Ruiter secured a bronze medal in Beach Sprints.
Team efforts were equally impressive, with Chayt Daniels, Cruz Roberts, and Blake Killoran combining brilliantly to take silver in the U12 Boys Board Relay.
The Masters Division also saw inspiring participation, led by Bruce Roberts, who, at 79 years of age, was the oldest competitor at the championships. Other Masters representing the club included club chairman Gordon Gardner, nipper coaches Gavin Roberts, Shane Grant, and Kirsten Cox, as well as club member Nico Smit.
A True Team Effort
Cox says the club’s success was built on the collective effort of athletes, coaches, sponsors, families, and the wider Scottburgh community.
“Surf lifesaving is about building confident, capable young people who understand the ocean and can respond in critical situations,” she continued. “From Nippers, we encourage participants to Juniors and Seniors, working up the ranks to lifeguards. The commitment shown this season, from extra weekday training sessions to the incredible support from parents and volunteers, has been phenomenal. These results are a reflection of that hard work and unity.”
Special recognition was also given to swim coach Owen Kuyper and the dedicated coaching team for their consistent efforts in developing athletes beyond regular Sunday training sessions.
Cox also made note of the critical role played by sponsors and the local community in enabling the team’s participation and success: “The club raised over R100,000 this season, with parents contributing more than R45,000 through Sunday bacon and egg roll sales, and more than R30,000 generated through a community-supported auction evening.”
She explained that these funds were invested in essential equipment, including 20 new bodyboards and one knee board, while Halfway Toyota generously donated four new knee boards.
“Our sincere thanks go to all our sponsors: Halfway Toyota, Halfway Lexus, the Daniels Family, Brangus Kissama, Buub, Renishaw Coastal Precinct, Buddee, Faw Trucks Durban, Ipanema, Scottburgh Family Clinic, AA Spice, 2nd Storey Advertising Solutions, and Africa Tanks.”
Cox says this all reinforces the programme as a foundation for developing skilled watermen and women: “This has shaped generations of lifesavers in our community. Many of our athletes have gone on to save lives, and competitions like these reinforce just how capable and prepared our young people are.”
Anyone who is keen to join the Scottburgh Surf Lifesaving Club or find out more information can contact coach Kirsten Cox on 082 855 1969. The next season will start on 6 September 2026.
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Author: Agnes Matladi from Olivia Jones Communications on behalf of Surf Lifesaving Club.
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