The Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club spent time representing South Africa in Australia for the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships – and filled it with history-making moments!

South Africa (20 October 2024) – Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club’s first-ever team to compete in Australia delivered remarkable performances, breaking new ground and securing impressive results at the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships. With a squad of 27 passionate Youth, Open, and Masters athletes, Clifton proudly etched its name into the history books.

Historic Firsts for Clifton:

• First time Clifton has sent a team to compete in Australia
• First-ever Open Ladies team to compete at World Champs
• First-ever Female Masters athlete to compete at World Champs
• First-ever Youth team to compete at World Champs

Open Competition Success:

Final Placings (out of 142 clubs):

• 18th in Ocean
• 20th in Pool
• 19th Overall

The Clifton Open team of 15 athletes showed resilience and heart, competing fiercely against the world’s best. In the Pool events, athletes set new personal bests, with standout performances from Kendra Du Toit, who reached both A and B Finals in individual events. The Open Ladies relay team achieved victory in a B Final and reached both A and B Finals in other relays, significantly boosting Clifton’s campaign.

In the Ocean events, teamwork shone as the Ladies Tube Rescue and Men’s Beach Relay teams both finished 4th. Samuel Booysen also placed 4th in the Beach Sprints, and the Ladies Board Rescue team secured a B Final 5th place finish. In a gruelling Men’s Long Run Relay, Clifton claimed an admirable 6th place.

Youth Competition Triumphs:

Final Placings (out of 91 clubs):

• 6th in Ocean
• 9th in Stillwater
• 8th Overall

Clifton’s Junior Boys excelled on the beach, Jake Hutton stood out with back-to-back World Champion titles in Flags and Beach Sprints. Clifton had three athletes reaching the Flags A final: 14-year-old Kyto Tuohy, in his first Youth competition, finished 4th, while Sam Abold took 6th. In the B sprint finals, Sam placed 2nd, Kyto 7th, and Josh Huntingford 8th. The Youth Boys Beach Relay team of Josh, Kyto, Mathew Pincente, and Sam won the World Championship, highlighting an outstanding performance by Clifton’s Youth squad.

Keira Van Heerden broke three National Records in the 50m Manikin Carry (twice), 200m Obstacle, and 100m Rescue Medley, setting new U17, U19, and Open Women’s National records in the final. Having competed with the National team earlier in the week, her achievements were exceptional.

Masters Competition Highlights:

Christina Mallion, Clifton’s sole Masters competitor, earned a bronze medal in the Surf Ski event and secured several top 8 finishes across board, beach sprints, long run, and flags.

Reflections and Gratitude:

“As a group, we came here to learn, and we experienced an amazing calibre of racing while forming lasting friendships. We left our mark on this competition with our spirit, and we can be truly proud of our final placings.” – James Thomson, Clifton Head of Sport.

Clifton athletes returned home with pride, eager to continue building on their successes at future world championships.

“On behalf of Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made our journey to the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships possible. From our dedicated coaches, management, and support staff to our generous sponsors, Velocity Trade and PKF, your belief and commitment fuelled our success. We are proud to have represented our community on the world stage and look forward to building on this incredible experience.” – Ed Tuohy, Clifton Chairman

Clifton’s participation in the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships marked a significant milestone in the club’s history, and their achievements have set the stage for even greater success in the future.

Sources: Website Submission 

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Off-duty lifeguard Jonah Lustig is being hailed a hero for acting quickly to save a man who had been swept in a rip current at Camps Bay Beach.

Camps Bay, South Africa (09 October 2024) – Off-duty Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club lifeguard Jonah Lustig performed a heroic rescue after spotting a man in distress, caught in a powerful rip current. Jonah had just finished surfing and was walking up the beach when he heard two beachgoers shouting for help, indicating that their friend was drowning.

Jonah quickly assessed the situation and noticed a young man struggling to stay afloat while being pulled out to sea. Without hesitation, Jonah grabbed his surfboard, rushed to the water, and paddled towards the man. He was soon joined by a fellow beachgoer, Sam Frankal, and a City of Cape Town lifeguard. Working together, they managed to get the distressed swimmer onto Jonah’s surfboard and safely brought him back to shore.

Upon reaching the shore, Jonah placed the man in the recovery position and checked his vital signs. The City of Cape Town lifeguards promptly took over, providing oxygen and calling for an ambulance. Thanks to the swift and coordinated response, the man has since made a full recovery.

Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club would like to commend Jonah, Sam, and the City of Cape Town lifeguards for their outstanding efforts in saving this man’s life.

Statement from Paul Lassen, Clifton Surf Patrol Officer:

“The ocean can be unpredictable and dangerous for those unfamiliar with its movements. Rip currents are a frequent hazard along our coastline, forming channels where water flows back out to sea. These can often be identified by darker water and fewer breaking waves. If caught in a rip, it’s critical to remember the #FLOAT-TO-LIVE technique:

• Stay calm and conserve your energy.
• Lie on your back with your arms and legs stretched out to stay afloat.
• Wave or shout if possible to signal for help.
• If you are strong enough to swim, do so parallel to the shore until you are out of the rip, then swim back safely.

Drownings can occur at any time, so it is essential to have basic water awareness and lifesaving skills. We’re incredibly grateful for Jonah’s quick thinking, as well as the assistance from Sam and the City lifeguards, which ensured a positive outcome. Learning these lifesaving skills could one day save your life or someone else’s.”

Sources: Website Submission

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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