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DHL Lifesaving South African Championships returns to Gqeberha

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The 2023 DHL Lifesaving South African Championships will take place from 30 March to 5 April in Gqeberha, home of action and adventure sports.

With over 1500 of the country’s lifesaving specialists competing in the surf and sand at Kings Beach, and at the pool events at Newton Park Swimming Pool, the Championships brings families from across the country in a celebration and culmination of the Lifesaving season.

The LSA Federation’s executives Craig van Rooyen (LSA Director of Sport)and Helen Herbert (LSA General Manager) together with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality; and Lifesaving SA’s sponsors and partners, DHL, Treble Group, National Lotteries Commission, Department of Sport and Recreationand the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation SA, collectively have worked to ensure that all championship events – both surf and pool –go ahead safely.

NMBM Mayoral Committee Member for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Cllr Bassie Kamana said the Metro had the most beautiful beaches in the country, so it is only fitting for an event such as the DHL Lifesaving South African Championships to be held in NMB.

“We have hosted the event many times and are excited to see lifesavers return to NMB. We welcome supporters and families to NMB and trust that you’ll enjoy your stay. We continue to establish NMB as a preferred sporting destination and welcome the economic injection into the City,” MMC Kamana said.

The seven-day championship event takes place during the school holidays to accommodate the Junior and Nipper divisions. Last year saw a limited number of spectators permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions but for the first time since 2019,the event is open to the public, who are welcome to cheer on their lifesaving heroes.

With the 2023 DHL Lifesaving national champs upon us at the end of the month, our federation and local clubs look forward to welcoming all our members of the lifesaving fraternity from across the country to our friendly city.

We wish to showcase our hospitality, great facilities and inviting conditions throughout your stay. With input and support from our partners , LSA and local organising committee we have several improvements and implementations that will take this event to the next level.

“I am proud to be part of such a prestigious event and look forward to action packed events, top performances, and great competition in both pool and surf over the 7 days in Gqeberha.
Wishing all the members the best of luck, safe travels, and an enjoyable week at the event,” said Craig van Rooyen, LSA Director of Sport.

This year’s championship promisesto be one of the most exciting ever and will be tightly contested with several of LSA’s top athletes havingshined for the Lifesaving South Africa national squad that finished 8th overall at the 2022 ILS Lifesaving World Championships held in Riccione, Italy late last year. The Proteas showed their dominance in the Surf events, finishing 3rd in the Championships in both the Open and Youth Surf competitions.

With the likes of the high-performance surf squad and elite pool squad on display at the 2023 DHL Lifesaving South African Championships, competition is going to be stiff in the tightly contested Seniorsurf division, asUmhlanga Rockswill be keento defend their Senior title and further strengthen their dominance in the Junior surf division after their landslide win in 2022 over second-placedClifton Lifesaving Club.The absence of many KZN stars in 2021 was a thing of the past in 2022 with Durban Surf, Marine and Umhlanga showing their immense talent in the surf events.

Last year’s overall champions, Summerstrand Lifesaving Club, courtesy of their incredible nippers, successfully defended their 2021 title with another strong showing. The local favourites are always a tough act to follow on their home ground and had no equal in the surf or the pool, once again combining for over 1000 points to crush the opposition, with the hosts particularly dominant in the pool championships.

With the Proteas’ strong performances on the sand at World Champs in Italy last year, the stakes will be even higher in 2023 with the likes of world championsSamuel Booysen and Naor Lombard bringing their pedigree to the 2023 DHL Lifesaving South African Championships come 30 March in Gqeberha.

Programme of Events:

30 March: Opening Ceremony (Kings Beach)
30 March – 1 April: Junior and Seniors Surf Competition (Kings Beach)
30 March – 1 April: Surf Boat Competition (Kings Beach)
31 March – 2 April: Nipper Pool Competition (Newton Park Pool)
1 April: Masters Pool Competition (Newton Park Pool)
2 April: Masters Surf Competition (Kings Beach)
3 April – 5 April: Nipper Surf Competition (Kings Beach)
3 April – 5 April: Juniors and Seniors Pool Competition (Newton Park Pool)

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.