THE URSLSC history book

The

HisUmhlanga Rocks Sur
1955 to

A FOREWORD by JOHN WRATHMALL

storyrf Lifesaving Club

2015

Umhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving Clu

Where did i

The story of Um

the early history

With information
the very early d
Umhlanga Rock

Starting in the 1
Umhlanga envir
to hold sway ov
and his body c
local Sangoma

ub

it all start ?

mhlanga Rocks Surf Life Saving Club would be half-told if one did not probe
y of this region of the North Coast.

n taken from “The Victorians” by author Ron Murtagh , we can briefly revisit
ays of this area and, with affection, identify with those antecedent settlers of
ks.

1820’s, we have records of a place called Mahakane, which was within the
rons. Mahakane took its name from a very unpopular chief sent by King Chaka
ver the Umhlanga Zulus. He was subsequently murdered by local tribesmen
cast into the sea, from which it kept washing back to shore, resulting in the
naming the beach and adjacent rocks Mahakane.

The Pioneers

In 1845, Lot 21 on the Great Umhlanga River was bought by Philip Jacobus Jong
on to one Charlotte Eve Rudolph in 1852. We assume that it belonged to her until b
burn, in 1864, divided Lot 21 into portions of land which were sold to aspirant c
failed and the half-dozen land owners turned to planting sugar cane.

We next hear of the lands being owned by the Glasgow and Natal Sugar Company
ny erected a mill on Blackburn Estate, the ruins of which are buried In the valley
ridge.The mill proved a godsend to the local cane growers but the owners had fin

Blackburn Estate and Mill was then bought by one A.S.(Garibldi) S

The estate and mill operated for a further 15 years after which, during a period
locust swarms, it was sold to a Marshall Campbell, of Mt Edgecombe and Natal E
tion, it would not be unreasonable to assume that Umhlanga Rocks, as we now
hence, the Blackburn estate, at the turn of the 20th century. This obviously subj
to the best of the writer’s knowledge, is the first link with URSLSC history where th
above the main beach and originally built as a beach cottage by Mr Campbell be
was frequented in later years by members of the URSLSC.

g and Jonas Bergthiel for the princely sum of 2 Shillings/acre. Lot 21 was then sold
bought by a gentleman named Joseph Blackburn. Records show that Joseph Black-
coffee planters. A township named Blackburn was created but the coffee enterprise

y ltd with a Mr JR Couper as manager. In 1877 the Glasgow and Natal Sugar compa-
y below Izinga Ridge, more-or-less in line with the existing radar installation on the
nancially overextended themselves and went into liquidation shortly thereafter in 1880.

Smith for £12000.00.

of severe drought and the onslaught of
Estates Sugar fame. Subject to correc-
w know it, formed part of Lot 21 and
ject to correction. Marshall Campbell,
he old Chevron Hotel, positioned just
ecame the local ‘watering hole’ and

The FoundingMem

Moving on to 1913, we have the Birth of Queta Wiltshire (nee Goss), at St Merren’s
sent-day Cabana Beach) followed by her Brother Bob Wiltshire, two of the founde
of the club.Other founder-members that appeared on the scene in the early 1930
Surgeon Brothers, Colin and Bruce.

These originators, together with Harry Pitt , Ronnie Grant and their benefactors, kno
as Uncle Charlie Haine and Aunty Hain, effectively started the Umhlanga Rocks Sur
Club in the latter-half of the 1930’s. They had a fox terrier mascot called Scotty. Pi
lifesaving squad, dated 1937, are in the possession of the URSLSC old boys
.
The Wiltshire’s and the Surgeon’s are positively identified by Peter Goss and Noel
who are, respectively, the son of Queta and a nephew of the Surgeon brothers
There is little doubt that the Sykes family, who were well-known residents in the
Rocks of the 1930’s, were represented in the team, but we have no positive record

mbers

resort (pre-
er-members
’s were the

own to them
f Lifesaving
ictures of a

Leibbrandt

e Umhlanga
d to refer to.

URSLSC The
team
Founder Members as to
and Patrons -Circa 1937 tion w

It is
Pool
natio
“Pain
down

The
1955
form
with

The
the a
the o

fledgling club took part in a carnival with other Founder Member Queta Goss
ms of the day but, again, no records are available – Circa 1937
o where the event was held and who the opposi-
Arial Shot Of Umhlanga Circa 1937
was.

interesting to note that, in those days, Grannies
l was known as “Swalse’s Channel” Of equal fasci-
on is the rock, to the right of Grannies pool called
nters Pallet’ for the bands of different hues found
n its side.

club ceased to function during the years 1939 to
5, after which the current lifesaving club was
med and has continued to serve the community
distinction to this day.

writer is privileged to have shared a few beers in
amiable company of Bob Wiltshire in 1968/9, at
old Whitehouse Hotel in Mt Edgecombe, and to

have, on many occasions enjoyed listening
to the fond reminiscences of Queta (nee
Wiltshire) Goss and Marjorie (nee Surgeon)
Leibbrandt in the ‘70s and through the ‘
’80s.

Reel alarm Team













Ea

All those early “members” lived in Durban North and unlike the double highway above
today, the only road from Durban North to Umhlanga was along Umhlanga Rocks
does today at the confluence with Northway), and branching off right towards the sea
a dirt road.

Umhlanga in those days consisted of five hotels, a few shops and a number of
cottages along Marine Drive. The tallest buildings were only two storeys high.
early pioneers of URSLSC had any form of transport so getting to Umhlanga was do
usually getting a lift from fisherman or picnickers. Most of the chaps were still at sch

The actual founder members at that time were Dave Olufsen, Ronnie Kirchman, Mal
Derek Clinton, Micky Hall-Jones, Robin Hollins, Joe More, Errol Sanders,
Graham Scott, John Summerfield and John Worlock. The rather loose
arrangement was ultimately formalised when, with the assistance of the
Surf Lifesaving Association of South African members Gabie Botha, Lou
Johnson and Denis Osborn, a proper club was formed and constitutionally
set up with the yellow, green and white club colours and the original badge
of a shark through a life buoy – hence the name Umhlanga Sharks (much to
the chagrin of the hotels and Health Committee). URSLSC became the 11th
club on the Natal Coast.

The first official “Club House”, if it can be called that, was a small concrete
“box” 1m x 2m at the main beach. This had served as a storage room and the
Health Committee kindly gave the “Club” permission to use it.

arly Duty SQUAD

e the beach front of
Drive (starting as it
a at Umhlanga down

beach and holiday
. Very few of these
one by hitch-hiking,
hool.

lcolm Blake,

THE FIRST

“Club H

Obviously, as the membership grew, this became totally
inadequate and the club members put up a wooden framed
malthoid covered room about 4m x 4m. This was used for a
change-room, storing equipment and shelter on bad weather
days (when a game of cards was usually organised).

The final member provided club house, prior to the brick and
concrete clubs of latter years, was 5m x 10m Masonite affair
which Kenny Wood got his company to donate to the Club –
by far the deluxe model of all three.

House”

Club MCIRCemA 1b95e7rs

The 1950’s saw the advent of board riding in SA and be-
cause of their empathy with the sea and surf, lifesavers gen-
erally became avid board and ski riders.

The craft that were used were unlike anything used today. The
first paddle ski was a Crocker ski, named after its inventor, Fred
Crocker. It consisted of a wooden frame/deck covered in
canvas and painted with waterproof paint. It was approximately
3m long and 1,5m wide and shaped like a triangle with curved,
rather than straight sides. Propulsion was with a +/- 2m paddle
and the rider either stood or sat to paddle out to the surf break.

BACK L-R: ROBIN HOLLINS, EARL SANDERS, MIKE CAMERON, NEVILLE HIERONS, MALCOLM BLAKE,
MICKEY HALL-JONES & STAN LAMBERT
KNEELING L-R: JOE MORE, DAVID KIRCHMAN, CLEO MARANGOS, DEREK CLINTON, JOHN WORLOCK
FRONT: KENNY WOOD

SURFING ON

Crocker

m
with a t
dled out to th
the water. Once in
The next craft to come along
and cigar shaped, similar to the boa
to 20 ft long and the double 22 ft.
Although recreational, these boards and skis were f
difficulties at the same time. As a matter of interest, a nu
the Club was made in Joe More’s garage, one of the Club mem
material – glass fibre.

NA

r Ski To catch a wave, he always
stood and paddled hard. Once on the

wave, he then stood the whole way to shore

and then paddled out again to start all over.

These Crocker skis were the only craft used at Rocket

Hut beach.

The craft that were becoming the “in” thing at the time URSLSC was in
its infancy, were the long boards. These were either 14 or 16 ft long, made
of marine ply over wooden frame (usually Meranti), they were then finished with
marine varnish and were pretty heavy to lug around the beach. They were cigar shaped
apering stern with a ‘skeg’, to help with balance, under the stern. These craft were pad-
he break line by either lying or kneeling on the board, using arm power to move through
nto a wave, the rider stood up for the exhilarating ride to shore.

were the paddle skis. These could be a single or double format and were also sleek
ards although the prow was, like the stern, built to a point. The single skis were +/- 18

frequently used to assist in rescues, particularly if there were a number of swimmers in
umber of these craft were made by the lifesavers themselves and the first double ski in
mbers, ably assisted by Errol Sanders. The hull of this was made from the new “wonder”

















In 1960 the club was still operating out of the one room

Masonite hut, which also served as the beach storage for Arther Day’s umbrellas, deck

and surf-o-planes. Members had to store their craft and lifesaving equipment in this one

shed which also had to serve as change room and recreational hall.

In 1961 the members built a Masonite extension on one side of the Green Hut which w
known as the “Lounge”. This addition was a great boon to the members as for the first t
ever the members now had a reasonable area to change, leave their belongings and h
decent size room for shelter and social functions, bearing in mind that the beach still ha

The hotel meals from the 50’s seemed to have disappeared and on most week-ends the
Drive and partook in a pretty standard lunch of sliced polony, cheese and bread with m
kerb outside the tea room, opposite the wood and iron house in which one of our mem
The beginning of the 60’s saw an influx of new junior members. Most of the members cam
Durban North. At that time, most of the juniors went to Northlands Boys High School (B
join a lifesaving club, you either went to Pirates or Rox. New members were far and few
iors while they were still at school !) at that time included Keith “Punchy” Howlett, Jan “Ya
John “Monster” Matheson.

An incident in 1961 which was well recorded at that time and made the front page of t
family on holiday by Yat and Lard. Unfortunately for them they were bunking school and t
The next day at morning assembly he congratulated them on having saved lives but ask
say their reward was 6 off the best – corporal punishment was still allowed in those day

green
chairs
e room

as
time
ad a
ad no toilet facilities, water or electricity.

e members walked up to the Hilcon Tea Room in Chartwell
milk to wash it down. This was usually eaten sitting on the
bers, Mickey Morck, lived.
me from the village in Umhlanga with the rest coming from
Beachwood School was still bush), and if you wanted to
in the very early 60’s but some of the juniors (or just sen-
at” de Goede, Rod “Lard” Sykes, Tony “Abe” Walters and

the newspapers was a dramatic mid-week rescue of a
the headmaster, Percy Hardaker, read the paper report.
ked for them to see him in his office later. Needless to
ys.

Punchy Howlett joined as soon as he turned 14. He was an exceptional swimmer, both
tions. He was also the youngest paddler in those days to have completed the annual S
With the aforementioned Mickey “Douga” Morck living in Rox, he was instrumental in
14 years old to become a junior then. With the above mentioned juniors the ranks soon
“Little John” Houseman, Jeremy “Jerro” Anderson and of course Mickey “Douga” Mo
Mike “Slug”, and who can forget Mickey “Chunky” Burrows. Most of these members ar
friendships developed from those early 60’s.

In addition to the younger members mentioned above the seniors were still the core of

stalwarts were still with the club :-

Errol “Sandshark” Sanders Mickey

Derrick “Super Duck” Clinton Malcolm

John “Matchy” Worlock Graham

Joe More (Pro lifeguard in Durban) Kenny

These early stalwarts had been joined by Lionel “Tech” Houseman, Dougie MacNaught
Kevin “Bat” Farman and Eddie Heher.

The professional lifeguards in 1960 were Graham “Scotty” Scott and Allen “Lunchbar” D
with Scotty being included in the words of the club song. Allen is still a regular Friday n
the Umhlanga Ski Boat Club for a few drinks and to reminisce of the good times gone

The Juniors, outnumbering the pros, used to take great delight in attacking Allen, tying
sagging roof up – not for pole dancing) and then torturing him. This included putting m
was in good fun as Allen, even if outnumbered, could have swatted the juniors of like fl

in surf swim & belt, and used to compete as a senior while Rox was still entering competi-
Scottborough to Brighton ski race.
getting some of his school mates to join Rox instead of Pirates. As today, you had to be
n swelled with the addition of John “Long John” Coyne, Bruce “Brockie” Brockwell, John
orck. They were followed shortly thereafter by the Freemantle brothers, Dave “Dogs” and
re still involved with the club, even if only socially, + 50 years on. Some very long lasting

the club. Many of the founder members had left but at the start of the 60’s the following

y “Pound Seats” Hall-Jones
m “Tossy” Blake
m “Jamie” Jameson
Osborne (Pro pool lifeguard in Durban)

ton,

Dunbar. These two pros are legends of Umhlanga,
night supporter of the Rox Old Boys who meet at
by.

him to the Lounge hut pole (was installed to keep the
atches between his toes and lighting same. All of this
flies, had he wanted to.

In 1961 Denis “Evil” Everitt returned from his trips aroun

involved with the club again. Denis took over the

shortly th

the input

*Please supply Other so
members infront of Ray Ingle
lounge pic characte
Schoom
who had
your side

One fam
Lounge h
Umhlang

Club equipment has been mentioned but to put it in context this was long before the ad
shark attack kits. The basic rescue equipment was box lines and reels. Boards and
launching. Early photos of Evil and Super Duck will put into perspective the size of th
craft that you could stand up on and paddle, and this was Scotties favourite craft. No

The box line was used mostly in rescues a distance away from the bathing beach as i
minimum of two to perform a rescue. They were the rescuer and a linesman. Obviou
rescue was under way in the shortest possible time. The main rescue equipment was th
As most serious rescues required the use of the box line or reel the emphasis in early
on its reel alarm capability and the many competition awards in this lifesaving event ar























Another incident which changed the club occurred at the end of the 60’s decade. The
of funds after about the third treasurer in a row had absconded with all the club funds. In
Rod Jones said that enough was enough and he would put an end to this and introduc
treasurer, a position that he held for many years, until his untimely death in 2008, when

With the shortage of funds the members took it on themselves to raise funds. One such
Hotel in Stanger Street. This was organised by Derrick Matthews whose father was the m
some hilarious incidents can be told by members who manned the door. This was done

Something which does not seem to be a problem today, but was back in the 60’s, was t

priate to them – some names being :-

• “Fish” Cranswick • “Matchy” Worlock

• “Long John” Coyne • “Little John” Housemen

• “Monster” Matheson • “Postie” Behn

It would be remiss and chauvinistic not to recognise that our ladies also made a huge imp

soon changed and many more local girls were coming to the beach. Some of these rela

• Mickey Morck to Cheryl (her father was an ex big game hunter and they lived in th

• Bruce Brockwell to Anne- Marie • Robert (Anne-Maries brother) to Sa

• Kit Case to Elaine • + many others

Sandy Booier was the first Rox lady to do her SPA and become a full duty squad memb
other clubs with their SPA’s. Many others followed her lead.

The wives, gilfriends, partners and mothers and sisters of members all played a very activ

bership for their services to the club over many years in various ways. These are :-

• Sally Everitt, • Val Downey,

• Pat Johnson and • Stephne Coyne .

Other parents and partners not to be outdone included such stalwarts as Vin Downey (lif
of the clubs first stainless steel reel – still in use today )

Many of the names mentioned during this decade will appear aga
gives an indication of the spirit and comradery which was formed

test of time and still exis

Club Treasurer was a sought after position to have, but the club was severely depleted
n one incident circa 1963, all the club records also disappeared, never to be seen again.
ced his older brother Brian “Taffy” Jones to lifesaving. Brian was immediately appointed

he was still joint treasurer with Lee Quigly.
way was the members manning the door at the Suzie Wong nightclub at the New Rand
manager. The name gives some idea of what the club was like and many hair-raising and
e with the members not taking one cent but all proceeds going into the clubs funds.
he number off members all named John. As a result every John had a nick name appro-

pact on the club in the 60’s. With the rapid expansion of Umhlanga this girl-less situation
ationships became very long lasting with marriage and included :-
he caravan park)
andy Booier

ber. This was quite an achievement back then as there were no other lady members at

ve part in the club during the 60’s and testimony to this are the ladies who have life mem-

fe member), Don Johnson (life member),the Morris’s, Dragt’s and Fanie Kuhn (the maker

ain and again during the later years and this bears testimony and
during this decade and many of these friendships have stood the
st some +50 years later.