An online water safety learning platform with Lifesaving SA
The South Coast is known for its stunning beaches, warm Indian Ocean waters, and endless summer spirit. From Port Edward to Pennington, locals and visitors flock to the shoreline to surf, swim, and soak up the sun. Yet, behind this paradise lies an important truth — our oceans, rivers, and lagoons demand respect and awareness.
That’s where Lifesaving South Africa’s WaterSmart programme steps in, bringing lifesaving knowledge to communities across the country and helping ensure that every beach day ends with smiles, not sirens.
Lifesaving South Africa: Guardians of the Coast
Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) is the national governing body for lifesaving and drowning prevention in the country. Founded in 1913, LSA represents over 80 clubs and 8,000 active members across South Africa’s coastlines, lakes, and pools.
Its core mission is to save lives, develop lifesavers, and promote water safety education through structured training, community engagement, and national standards for lifeguard operations. LSA’s trained volunteers and professional lifeguards patrol beaches, run rescue operations, and educate the public on safe swimming practices.
LSA operates under the principles of volunteerism, community service, and excellence in rescue readiness. It is also affiliated with the International Life Saving Federation (ILS), aligning South Africa with global water safety standards.
Beyond lifeguarding, LSA plays a critical educational role. Through programmes like WaterSmart, it focuses on prevention — ensuring that children, parents, and communities understand water risks long before they reach the shoreline.
The Beauty and Power of Our Coastline
If you’ve ever spent a morning at Glenmore Beach or watched the waves crash along Umtentweni, you’ll know how captivating our coast can be. But even the most inviting waters can hold hidden dangers: strong rip currents, shifting tides, and unpredictable surf.
Each year, South Africa records hundreds of drowning incidents, many of them preventable. For children under 17, drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death. On the South Coast — where water is part of daily life — education and vigilance are vital.
What Is the WaterSmart Programme?
WaterSmart is an educational initiative created by Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) and supported by DHL Express South Africa. It’s designed to teach water safety in a simple, engaging way — helping both children and adults understand how to enjoy the water responsibly.
What began as a printed classroom resource for Grade 4 to 6 learners has evolved into a dynamic online learning hub filled with videos, animations, quizzes, and downloadable certificates. The goal is clear: to empower South Africans of all ages with the skills to recognise risk, respond correctly, and prevent drowning before it happens.
A National Success Story
The results speak volumes. In KwaZulu-Natal alone, the Department of Education partnered with LSA to train thousands of teachers, reaching more than 600,000 learners in a single year — and well over one million children nationwide since the programme began.
Teachers love it for its interactive lessons; parents appreciate the life skills it brings home; and learners enjoy the fun, game-like activities. But most importantly, these lessons save lives. Every child who learns to respect the ocean becomes part of a safer future for our communities.
Why WaterSmart Matters on the South Coast
The South Coast is uniquely water-rich — rivers, lagoons, beaches, and tidal pools are woven into our landscape. Families spend weekends exploring estuaries like Mtamvuna or relaxing at Ramsgate’s Blue Flag beach. Fishermen launch their boats at dawn, while surfers carve through curling waves at Uvongo and Margate.
With so much water activity, the need for awareness has never been greater. Even confident swimmers can get caught in rip currents, and holidaymakers unfamiliar with local waters may underestimate ocean power.
WaterSmart bridges this gap by bringing water safety into classrooms, communities, and households, ensuring everyone — from toddlers to grandparents — knows the basics of staying safe near water.
What WaterSmart Teaches
The programme’s online hub covers everything from recognising hazards to emergency response. Some of the key lessons include:
- Spot the Danger: How to identify rip currents, deep drop-offs, and changing tides.
- Stay Calm, Stay Afloat: Techniques to conserve energy and remain buoyant if caught in trouble.
- Call for Help: Understanding when and how to signal lifeguards or emergency responders.
- Buddy Up: Why swimming with a friend is always safer than going alone.
- Respect Red and Yellow Flags: Lifeguard flags are not decorations — they’re your guide to safe swimming zones.
These principles apply not just to beaches, but also to rivers, pools, and dams — places where many drownings actually occur.
Connecting Tourism and Safety
For the tourism industry, the WaterSmart approach aligns perfectly with South Coast values — welcoming, family-friendly, and responsible. Resorts, schools, and tourism operators can integrate WaterSmart materials into their guest briefings, signage, or school visits.
Imagine checking into a coastal resort and finding a colourful WaterSmart guide in your welcome pack, or a short video playing at reception showing visitors how to identify a rip current. Small touches like these help protect visitors while reinforcing our reputation as a safe, caring destination.
Empowering the Next Generation
Children who grow up along the coast often learn to swim early, but swimming ability doesn’t always mean water safety. By learning the WaterSmart principles at school and home, kids gain not just confidence — but critical thinking skills in real-world situations.
Knowing when not to swim, how to stay calm, and how to help safely in emergencies transforms them into water-wise ambassadors for their communities. It’s a ripple effect — one that starts small and spreads wide.
How You Can Get Involved
- Parents: Explore free educational resources with your children.
- Schools: Register for the teacher training programme to bring WaterSmart lessons into your classrooms.
- Businesses: Display water-safety posters or educational materials at beaches, lodges, and shops.
- Visitors: Take a few minutes before your beach day to check for lifeguard stations and safety flags.
Together, we can create a culture where every swimmer, surfer, and paddler understands how to enjoy our beautiful waters safely.
A Safer, Smarter Coastline
The South Coast isn’t just a destination — it’s a way of life built around the ocean. From the roar of the surf at Trafalgar to the calm estuaries of Port Edward, water connects us all. By staying WaterSmart, we ensure that connection remains joyful, safe, and sustainable for generations to come.
So next time you pack your beach bag, add one more essential: knowledge. Because on the South Coast, being WaterSmart is the smartest thing you can do.
South Coast Explore
South Coast Explore celebrates the people, places, and stories that make the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast a region like no other — from hidden heritage sites to conservation heroes keeping our coast alive and thriving.
Access the hub using the button below or scan the QR code
