WHEN mother Andile Sibiya enrolled her daughter, Londeka, at the Nippers Pirates Lifesaving Club at Durban’s Battery Beach, she never expected to see Londeka save a drowning victim in a tidal pool at eMdloti on the north coast.
Andile said she enrolled her children in Nippers for their own safety.
“We enrolled our two children in Nippers because we live near the beach and have this beautiful ocean to enjoy. You want your children to be able to enjoy the beach in complete safety.
“A few weeks after we started at Nippers, we went on vacation and the kids were able to identify a rip current. They were more aware in the water, which was wonderful. We were seeing the benefits of the training, but we really didn’t expect it to benefit others so soon,” she said.
Londeka Sibiya (13), learning Maris Stella, sprang into action, putting her Nippers training to good use without hesitation. Proud mother, Andile remembered the day at the Umdloti tidal pool.
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“We were sitting on the beach when we heard the commotion and saw the girl drown. Then we saw someone walking towards her and realized it was Londeka. It happened in seconds, Londeka reacted before we even had a chance to get up,” Andile said.
“I was swimming with my cousins when I heard screaming and shouting. As I turned around, I saw a teenage girl diving underwater and knew she was not well. I swam to her, put her on her back and brought her back to shore,” Londeka added.
“At Nippers, we learn how to put someone in the right position in case of drowning and how to get out of the water fast enough to save a person before it’s too late,” she added.
“I was excited and surprised that I managed to do it,” she said.
Training
Londeka started swimming at just three years old.
“I love being in the water,” she said.
“I swim in the morning with my mum at Kings Park Pool three times a week and I run twice a week. Running develops different muscle strengths in my legs which helps me in the pool,” she said.
Londeka took part in the aQuellé Midmar Mile on Saturday 12 February.
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“It was difficult to swim in open water because the current was strong, but I managed,” she said.
pliers
Howard Bebington, pliers officer at the Pirates Lifesaving Club, coached Londeka.
“Londeka has always been a passionate gripper,” he said.
“The Nippers start at the U 10 age group and work our way up to U14. We have a Niplet group for kids under eight. I always say if the kids have enjoyed the season and are enjoying the ocean, then our job is done It’s a very competitive sport but many people just want their kids to enjoy the sea it’s not a good idea to go into the sea,” Bebington said.
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