MOSSEL BAY NEWS -  The Garden Route was in good hands this holiday season as 103 lifeguards of Lifesaving Medical Rescue Services and Training were deployed at 23 beaches throughout the region, including Mossel Bay, during December and January.

The lifeguards, made up of five local lifesaving clubs in the Mossel Bay area, were easily spotted wearing their red and yellow attire as they celebrated their last official day of duty with a braai at Santos Beach on Monday 12 January.

These five clubs are the Mossel Bay, Southern Cross, Marlin, Great Brak River and Hartenbos Surf Lifesaving Clubs.

Tackling near-drowning incidents and even cases of sunburn, the lifeguards were equipped for anything.

The club’s manager, Carlo Klaasen, thanked the lifeguards for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz

According to some data the clubs had compiled and shared with Mossel Bay Advertiser, zero drownings, heart attacks or heat strokes were recorded for the 2025/26 period.

However, 1 014 stings were treated, of which 154 were recorded at Glentana Beach. Some 100 of the 424 torpedo buoys were used for rescues at the Little Brak River Beach.

The teams also managed cuts, abrasions, sprains and fractures during this time.

Carlo Klaasen, the Lifesaving Medical Rescue Services and Training's operational manager, thanked the team members for their hard work and dedication, not only during the holiday season, but throughout the year. 

"We did our job very well this year," said Klaasen. "The standard must remain high, because lives depend on it."

Although the lifeguards have officially completed the season, some will remain on duty at the Blue Flag beaches. 

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