ANGRY surfers say they will be submitting video footage of lifeguards in a rubber duck recklessly ‘attacking and endangering’ them on Sunday morning.
But beach authorities in turn have blamed the surfers for ‘blatant disregard of bather safety’ and of wilfully ignoring lifeguards’ instructions.
‘We have the footage, taken from the dolosse, and will be sending it to SAMSA (SA Maritime Safety Authority),’ an angry caller told the Zululand Observer.
‘The guys in the rubber duck were aiming at us and even hit one surfer off his board.
‘The propeller could seriously injure or even kill someone.’
One female on the beach claimed the rubber duck had also been riding dangerously among swimmers.
uuMhlathuze Chief Sport and Recreation Officer, Shakier Hiraman denies the accusations.
‘I was actually at the beach on Sunday and saw exactly what happened.
‘We obviously demarcate the safe bathing area and it so happens this is where the good waves were.
‘The surfers ignored repeated warnings to leave the bathing area and refused to move; in fact they showed rude signs whenever the announcements were being made.
‘There was also a bodyboard competition on the go and they were dropping in on them as well,’ said Hiraman.
‘Their disrespect for lifeguards, bathers and bodyboarders is an ongoing problem.
‘We sent out the rubber duck to flatten the waves in front of them, to get them to leave.
‘What is particularly upsetting is that some of these surfers are mature men who should be setting an example of respect for authority.
‘I categorically deny that any surfer was hit by the rubber duck or that their lives were endangered.’
I would like to know if the lifeguards that went out on the rubber duck have a skippers licence – they went out through the bathers and body boarders. What I don’t understand is that even though there was a compo on for the body boarders, why where they allowed to compete in the bathing area???????
If Mr Hiraman was witness to the incident and denies all accusations then surely he would not have a problem in giving us written consent to publically display the video footage taken of this incident. Surely the rate and tax payers that pay the salaries of these lifeguards have the right to see how their community members are protected for at the beach. We await your consent Mr Hiraman!!