Clifton and Macassar: Building the Future of Lifesaving Together

How a shared vision between two clubs is strengthening lifesaving across Cape Town

Every club has something to teach. Every community has something to offer.

Separated by 51.2 kilometres, Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club and Macassar Surf Lifesaving Club call two very different coastlines home. One is shaped by the cold, powerful waters of the Atlantic Seaboard, the other by the expansive beaches and ever-changing conditions of False Bay.

In 2023, the two clubs recognised that by working together, both could become stronger.

What began as a conversation between long-time Macassar member and Clifton Beach coach Adie Benjamin and Clifton’s committee has grown into a partnership built on shared knowledge, shared opportunities and a shared commitment to developing the next generation of lifeguards, athletes and leaders.

Three years later, that conversation has grown into a partnership that is reshaping what club collaboration can look like in South African lifesaving.

“Macassar Surf Lifesaving Club has always meant home to me. I grew up just down the road from the club and have been a member for more than 40 years, so I’ve seen firsthand the important role it has played in our community. When the club went through a difficult period, I knew we couldn’t simply accept its decline. I believed there was too much history, too much passion and too much potential to let it fade away. Partnering with Clifton created an opportunity to build on that legacy and give the next generation the chance to take Macassar even further. Seeing where the partnership is today makes me incredibly proud, because it’s proof of what can happen when clubs work together with a shared purpose.” – Coach Adie Benjamin

A Shared Vision

Before a single qualification was completed or training session held, both clubs agreed on a long-term vision for the partnership.

The partnership was built around the same philosophy that underpins Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club: serving communities through world-class water safety, drowning prevention and lifesaving sport while developing servant leaders whose purpose is to grow and develop others.

Rather than creating a separate model for Macassar, the goal was to mirror the foundations that had helped Clifton grow:

• Accessible water safety education and patrol services.
• High-quality surf, still water and rescue fitness programmes.
• Leadership pathways for members to realise their potential.
• Safe and engaging learning environments.

The roadmap looked beyond immediate results.

The first phase focused on developing qualified lifeguards, instructors and IRB drivers while increasing participation in patrols and competition.

The longer-term vision was always independence—Macassar delivering its own education programmes, growing its own sports programme, developing future leaders and building the infrastructure needed to sustain the club for generations to come.

Today, those original goals are evolving into a five-year vision.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of this partnership has been watching both clubs grow together. While Clifton has been able to share its experience in areas like education, sport and governance, our members have also gained so much from Macassar’s people, coastline and community. That’s the true value of partnerships like this—they create opportunities to learn from one another, strengthen our clubs and ultimately better serve the communities we exist for.” – Ed Tuohy, Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club Chairman

Building capability, one qualification at a time

Success was never measured purely by medals or membership numbers.

It was measured by people.

One of the partnership’s earliest milestones came in October 2023, when five Macassar members qualified as Lifeguard Award (LA) holders through Clifton’s education programme. These qualifications created the foundation for Macassar’s return to active patrol operations.

The next major milestone came in January 2026, when Ridhaa Kuys, Macassar’s Club Captain, qualified as an Instructor—an important step towards Macassar delivering more of its own education programmes and reducing its reliance on external support.

Since qualifying, Ridhaa has already played a role in qualifying 72 lifeguard candidates, ensuring that knowledge gained through the partnership is now being passed on to the next generation of lifesavers.

The philosophy has remained simple: build people first, and the club will continue to grow.

“Coming from Macassar, partnering with an established club like Clifton broadened my horizons beyond what I ever thought possible. Through this partnership, I achieved two personal goals: becoming a qualified Surf Lifesaving Instructor and a licensed IRB Driver. Being able to bring those qualifications back to Macassar and use them to help develop my home club is something I’m incredibly proud of.” – Ridhaa Kuys, Macassar Surf Lifesaving Club Captain

Learning went both ways

While Macassar members gained access to education pathways, coaching and development opportunities, Clifton quickly realised it was gaining just as much in return.

Training on the False Bay coastline exposed Clifton athletes to powerful surf, long beaches, ever-changing banks and steep sand dunes. Throughout 2024, Saturday sessions became a regular fixture as Clifton prepared for the Lifesaving World Championships, with the terrain closely resembling the conditions athletes would later encounter on Australia’s Gold Coast.

From a sporting perspective, the impact was immediate.

“Training at Macassar challenged our athletes in ways we simply couldn’t replicate elsewhere. It gave us access to a different racing environment and broadened our preparation ahead of international competition. Just as importantly, it’s created an opportunity for coaches to share ideas, challenge one another and continue learning together.” – Jonty Thomson, Head of Sport, Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club

The learning extended beyond the beach. Clifton members gained a greater appreciation for the realities of volunteer lifesaving across Cape Town’s diverse coastline, while Macassar members experienced a high-performance environment that challenged them to think differently about what was possible.

“What has impressed me most about Clifton is its people. The club is made up of dedicated coaches, instructors, volunteers and world-class athletes who are always willing to share their knowledge and support others. Competing alongside some of the country’s top athletes challenged me to raise my own expectations and gave me a new perspective on what is possible in the sport.” – Ridhaa Kuys, Captain, Macassar Surf Lifesaving Club

More than Medals

The impact of the partnership has extended beyond patrols and training sessions, it has also been seen across local and national competition arenas.

“The passion and spirit that the Macassar members brought into our team environment from training sessions to war cries at local and national competitions became infectious. It strengthened our culture, inspired better performances and reminded us that the best teams are built on more than results; they’re built on shared purpose and genuine camaraderie.” – Jonty Thomson, Head of Sport, Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club

One of its defining moments came at the 2024 South African Lifesaving Championships, where brothers Ridhaa and Robin Kuys stood on the podium after the Tube Rescue event. Competing in separate Clifton teams, Ridhaa claimed gold, and Robin earned bronze.

For the brothers, the medals represented far more than individual success. As proud Macassar members, they were among the first athletes in many years to bring South African Championship medals back to their community, a milestone that reflected not only their own dedication, but the opportunities created through the partnership.

“It’s been a unique journey being able to continue serving my community while competing for Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club. Being part of both clubs has allowed me to experience lifesaving from two perspectives, volunteer patrols and high-performance competition. At Clifton, I’ve experienced a culture of respect, competitiveness and a shared commitment to developing young athletes into world-class competitors. That environment has had a significant impact on my own growth, both as an athlete and as a person.” – Robin Kuys, Chairman, Macassar Surf Lifesaving Club

Clifton Beyond Fourth Beach

As the partnership matured, so too did the opportunities it created.

What began on the beach soon extended far beyond patrols and training sessions.

Behind the scenes, committee members from both clubs have built mentoring relationships across media, finance, craft management, education and sport. Volunteers regularly exchange ideas and practical experience, strengthening both organisations in the process.

On the beach, Macassar has continued developing its facilities, clubhouse and craft storage, creating an increasingly valuable training venue for both clubs. For Clifton, it has become another place to coach athletes, grow the spirit of lifesaving and strengthen connections across Cape Town. For Macassar, it has expanded development pathways while ensuring ownership of the club’s future remains firmly within the community itself.

Some members jokingly refer to the collaboration as “MacClifton.”

While the nickname raises a smile, it captures something genuine.

This is no longer simply two clubs working together.

It is a broader lifesaving community built on mutual respect, shared learning and a common purpose.

“For the future of Macassar, the partnership has shown what’s possible when clubs work together with a common purpose. It creates opportunities for young athletes, coaches and lifeguards by providing clear pathways for development and exposure to higher levels of competition. Most importantly, it gives young people something to aspire to and demonstrates that, with the right support and encouragement, anything is possible. Macassar can produce athletes capable of competing at the highest level.” – Robin Kuys, Macassar Surf Lifesaving Club Chairman

“For me, building the future of Macassar Surf Lifesaving Club is about sharing knowledge, creating opportunities and leaving the club stronger than we found it. If I can inspire even one person to become a confident lifesaver, instructor or leader, then I’ll consider that a legacy worth leaving.” – Ridhaa Kuys, Macassar Surf Lifesaving Club Captain

The Next Chapter

The next milestone in the partnership is already on the horizon.

Later this year, Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club and Macassar Surf Lifesaving Club will stand side by side at the 2026 Lifesaving World Championships on home soil in South Africa.

Together, the two clubs will field a team of around 80 athletes, with dual members proudly representing both communities on the world stage.

Two clubs.

One team.

One shared ambition.

For many, one of the proudest moments won’t simply be watching athletes compete at the highest level—it will be seeing Macassar represented on the world stage, a powerful reminder of the opportunities that can be created when clubs work together with a shared purpose.

It is another milestone in a partnership that continues to prove that the future of lifesaving is stronger when communities grow together.

Looking ahead

The partnership began with a clear goal: to help build a sustainable future for Macassar Surf Lifesaving Club.

Three years later, it has become a model for how two clubs can strengthen one another while remaining true to their own identities.

As the partnership enters its next chapter, the focus remains unchanged: developing people, serving communities and ensuring the next generation has every opportunity to thrive.

Because while Clifton brought experience, and Macassar its incredible community and coastline, the greatest achievement has been what they have built together.