Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club Launches 2025–2026 Impact, Patrol & Education Report
Quantifying the Value of Saving Lives
As Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club enters its 70th year of service, leadership and drowning prevention, the Club has launched its most comprehensive seasonal report to date — the 2025–2026 Impact, Patrol & Education Report.
For the first time in the Club’s history, the report formally measures the social and economic value generated through Clifton’s volunteer lifesaving operations using the PKF Octagon Lifesaving South Africa methodology.
The findings reveal the measurable impact behind every patrol hour, preventative intervention, rescue and medical response delivered by Clifton’s volunteer lifeguards throughout the season.
More Than Rescues
While rescues are often the most visible part of lifesaving, the report highlights a broader story — one built around prevention, education, leadership development and community safety.
This season also marked the launch of the BeachSafe Tracker, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Africa designed to measure preventative public safety work beyond traditional rescue statistics.
The initiative captures the often unseen work performed by lifeguards every day:
- Public safety education
- Early behavioural intervention
- Hazard monitoring
- Risk prevention
- Beach supervision and communication
Because the true value of lifesaving is often found in the incidents that never happen.
A Season of Impact
Throughout the 2025–2026 season, Clifton lifeguards delivered thousands of voluntary patrol hours while responding to rescues, medical incidents and emergency situations both on and off the beach.
The report also explores:
- Leadership development initiatives
- Patrol induction and squad workshops
- Patrol Hour Leaderboards
- School Medics and Nipper Safety Officer programmes
- Lifeguard education and qualification growth
- Rescue and incident case studies from Clifton Beach and beyond
Together, these programmes continue to strengthen Clifton’s long-term mission of developing highly skilled lifeguards and servant leaders committed to community safety.
Measuring the Value of Saving Lives
One of the report’s most significant findings is the estimated operational and public safety value generated through Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club’s volunteer service during the season.
Using the national PKF Octagon methodology, the report estimates millions of rand in measurable social and economic value returned to the community through volunteer patrol operations, emergency response and preventative interventions.
It represents a major milestone in helping better understand the broader impact volunteer lifesaving organisations create across South Africa.
Powered by Community
This year’s report also includes letters and reflections from:
- Lifesaving South Africa President Winston Meyer
- Lifesaving Cape Town Chairman Donovan Brown
- Community partners including Clifton Improvement District and NSRI Bakoven
- Sponsors Velocity Trade, PKF Octagon and DHL
Their support continues to strengthen Clifton’s ability to protect beaches, educate communities and develop future generations of lifesavers.
Download the Full Report
The 2025–2026 Impact, Patrol & Education Report is more than a collection of statistics — it is a reflection of the people, partnerships and purpose behind Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club.
From preventative actions and patrol operations to leadership development and lifesaving education, the report captures a season dedicated to serving the community and saving lives.
Download the full Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club 2025–2026 Impact, Patrol & Education Report here.