THE URSLSC history book

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Years -1970 - 1980

change over from the 60s to the 70s was heralded by the AGM held at the Sea Sands
el on the 15th May 1970 @ 810pm.
mmittee Members Present were:-
esident/Chairman- RJ Taylor
e Chairman :- Dennis(Evil) Everitt
asurer:- Brian”Taffy” Jones
ptain/Property Steward- Trevor Raw
e Captain :- Bruce(Brockie) Brockwell
cretary ;- Sally Everitt
b Instructor:- Derik Mathews
Sea Sands Hotel was a famous two story land mark, positioned on the top of the dune
North of Black Rock. The bar snacks, cold beer and good natured banter with “Sunka” the
man, made this a popular venue in the 1960s and early to mid-1970s. One navigated
hs, through the dune bush, in order to get to the beach. This well-loved, iconic, watering
e for the Rocks Crew was knocked down in the mid-1970s to make way for the construc-
of the Umhlanga Sands Time share, which housed the equally famous “Half Jack” pub.
abundance of well-established, largely family owned pre-war Hotels in Umhlanga Rocks
to many an evening of festivities. Names like the Durban View, Umhlanga Rocks, Chevron
dge of the sea and Sea Sands evoke nostalgic memories of riotous Friday Night gatherings
he Rocks Boys often starting in one pub and moving on to the others as the evening pro-
ssed. The Whitehouse Hotel, some 8km away in Mt Edgecombe, complimented the list of
nts available to the crew in this time of Men’s only pubs.

UMHLANGA ROCKS - AN AIRIAL VIEW - CIRCA 1975

The Wild bun

For the wild bunch leaving the 60s and
entering the 70s, most things were
relatively unchanged from the previous
decade but the years progressing through
the 70s heralded major changes in the
close knit community of Umhlanga and the
life of those community spirited souls that
made up Umhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving
club at that time. The new replaced the old but
the bonhomie of the Umhlanga Crew, so
much a feature of Umhlanga rocks at this time,
remained.

Beer prices soon rose to 50 cents a pint, which
almost caused protest action by the beer swilling
locals.

BACK :- ROB REUVE
JOHN MATHESON, R
FRONT:- TONY ROW
BRIAN TARBOTTEN

nch

ERS, JOHN WARLOCK, LIONEL HOUSEMAN, JOHN HOUSEMAN, DERIK MATHEWS, BRUCE BROCKWELL,
ROD JONES, JOHN BEHN, DENNIS EVERITT, MIKE FREEMANTLE, MICKEY BURROWS
WNEY, ROB GOULDEN, MIKE GROOM, MIKE QUINN, KIT CASE, GORDON MACMILLAN, BRIAN JONES,
N

The Club H

the Chevron Hotel, which was positioned about 50 meters away and well ab
ensure that they vacated their cars and ducked around, or through, the hotel a
ers. Once past the hotel a walkway led through the Tea terrace, on the seawa
on to the beach. There were occasions when inebriated members lost their f
mused member staggering into the club bar with varied explanations as to ho

A flight of steps with a hand rail also led down the dune but this was largely igno
hlanga generally revolved around Friday Night Movies at the Umhlanga Rocks H
and there after a visit to neighbouring pubs or a visit to night clubs in Durban.

House was positioned some 100 meters to the left of
Grannies pool and accessed either from the beach or
bove the club house . Members taking advantage of the Chevron Hotel Car Park had to
as the manageress of the day frowned upon the use of the Chevron Parking by the lifesav-
ard side of the hotel, it then plunged down the grassed dune to the Club House and then
footing when navigating the path down the hill which resulted in many a bruised and be-
ow they had tumbled down the bank.
ored by club members who preferred the quicker rout down the path. Week end life at Um-
Hotel, A bash in the Umhlanga Rocks Hotel pub (which was aptly named the Rubber Tub)
Closing time was always 10PM.

URSLSC - CLUB HOUSE, VIEWED FROM THE EDGE OF THE SEA TEA GARDEN - CIRCA 1978

















The TeamsThe teams that were selected to compete in beach carnivals were

extremely enthusiastic and whilst weak in comparison to the larger
and stronger clubs based in Durban they often surprised their
more illustrious opposition. The beach event teams for Flags,
Beach sprint and beach relays made a name for themselves early
in the decade and the relay team comprising Gordon Macmillan,
Lionel Houseman, Bruce Brockwell and Jeff Garr won the beach
relay event for the club at the 1971 “SA Lifesaving champs “ com-
petition at Strand beach outside Cape Town.

THE SA CHAMPS RELAY TEAM – THE STRAND 1971 – 1ST PLACE.

SENIORS AND JUNIORSCIRCA - 1972

The club financand business in the villa
event s such as the sale of Boerie rolls, Cake Sales, Club functions and raffle
or restaurants. Collection boxes were also put in all of the men’s bars in the
to walk around the village with a collection box and collect whatever cash the
The Minutes of the committee meeting on the 1/09/70 September reflects ta
Hotel Collection box, which was good income when compared to total club f
In this way funds were raised for competition equipment such as Craft, Oars,
went towards funding teams for carnivals in other centres.
Awards such as Wire Club badges were often given to those members that o
the club by dint of their commitment to things such as fund raising, training a
The wire club badges were sought after items in the 70s and at club events
sported his award sewn onto the breast of his club jacket.

Meritorious a
Brian (Taffy)
club were the
tory of the c
and 2008.

DENNIS EVERITT AND BRIAN JONES

ces relied on the Borough grant and donations from the public

age. It was there-for necessary to add value by implementing fund raising
es. Prizes for raffles were normally sponsored by the local hotels
village and occasionally juniors were enlisted
ey could from the local shoppers.
akings of R26.00 from the Umhlanga
funds of R258.92 for that month.
, and Reels . Monies so raised also

offered exemplary service to
and general service to the club.
it was a proud team member that

awards were given to Dennis (Evil) Everitt and
Jones in the 70s. And these two legends of the
e only recipients of this award throughout the his-
club up to their respective deaths in early 2000

D
e
v
S
th
8
fa

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7
d

Sun damage

Duty squads on the beach were exposed to the
elements and sun burn was a constant problem. The
itamin D boosting Sylva sun Tablets , sponsored by
Sylvachem Pty ltd, were recognized as a solution to
his problem for most of the 70s and possibly into the
80s. Little did the users realize that the tablets were in
act not too good for one’s health?

The issues of skin cancers and general skin damage
caused by the sun were relatively unknown in the early
70s and many a life saver has suffered the effects of
damaged skin in their later years.

The

First Su

In Feb of 1972 a second hand surf boat was acquired. Th
the existing club were required in order to store the boat. A
er only came to fruition in 1974 when a lean to was erected
complished with material assistance from the Huletts, Nata
boat team put together with the legendary Dennis Everitt as
took to manufacture a boat trailer and the building blocks o
place. The Surf Boat was officially handed over, at the Pirat

urf Boat

his acquisition created a situation where extensions to
plan was put in place to build a boat shed .This howev-
d as an alternative to a full on boat shed. This was ac-
al Estates Sugar Company . Oars were acquired and a
s sweep. Ted Rau, an old resident of Umhlanga under-
of a future boat team, of some repute, were finally put in
tes Country Club Beach on the 26/08/73.

The 1972 SA Champs was held at the old Pirates Clu

Golf Course) but no records exist of the results.

It was at this time that a new constitution was put in pl

12/10/72 refer to the chairman, Dennis Everitt, quoting:- ”We
with other clubs that are training them. “ end quote

This is the first reference to the Nipper movement w

cal) Houseman, ably assisted, amongst others, by the likes o
the early sixties, Cleo Marangos, requested permission to don
annual prize giving that year.

The Cabana Beach Hotel was completed this year an

list of haunts that the Life Saving community could visit.

The inaugural beach run from Umhlanga to Umdloti a

popular fixture on the URSLSC calendar for many years therea

Sunday Rugby matches between the Durban/Umhlang

These games became extremely competitive and robust affair
with girlfriends and wives.

Film shows, at the club, were organised for the members

aspect of club socialising very well, whilst also competing at
where monthly carnivals were set up at the various central nat
party was always a rip roaring affair where the pies of previou

19down with volumes of beer.















This was the y
resulted in the loss of part of the boat house. This was the be
culminate in a new club house being built in 1981. The village
houses were torn down and high rise blocks of flats were built i
viewed from the sea, changed dramatically in a short period of ti

The year ended with the traditional New Year revelry and the first
mall and Tony Rowney, in the 4 day, 240 km, Port Elizabeth to
marathon. Due to a breakdown of transport the first day 80km se
good unofficial third position, in the senior doubles, was secured

yearwalk way that the marine
was widened, which

ginning of many changes that would

itself was changing rapidly as old

n their place. The sky line, when

me.

ever entry, by John Wrath-
East London, paddle ski
ection was missed but a
d for the last three days

1977 commenced with a committee meeting being held on the 18

Beach, was well underway as was the planning for the SA champs that
flights, accommodation and transport, for the teams, was the princely s
great heights, with the sea condition being very flat, but the festivities
has landed” which is a story that is more deserving of discussion aroun

The Natal Championships were however more of a success w

was a great result considering that the senior team comprising just a few
volved around the sale of Hot Dogs, Pies, Raffles and cake sales. Val
around Umhlanga Rocks in order for sponsorship requests to be sent to
factured by Stephany Coyne which epitomised the general community s

This was a year of contrasts as the old guard, from the early 70

the junior ranks. All spear headed by the likes of Steve Evans, Alan Mat
Mullen ,the Garrett brothers and the Dragt brothers ,amongst others. M
end of October 1977 and these were keenly contested by the young cr
and junior life savers were employed as lifeguards at this and other fac

A popular fish outlet called “Moby Dicks’ was the foca

tioned on the upper parking balcony of Chartwell centre it enjoyed the
tub or other drinking spots.

The Umhlanga Ski Boat festival was also a great event tha

Sail past was central to the festival and many of the old members, who
Miss Umhlanga Rocks beauty pageants were held at the Beverley hills
The year ended again with the traditional chopping down of bamboos in

1under the canvas marquee and a new year’s morning team swim off ma

8/01/77. Planning for the Natal championships, to be held at Umhlanga
t was to be held at Kings Beach in Port Elizabeth. The cost of the air
sum of R1472.00. The SA Champs team this year did not achieve any
after champs were memorable and launched the legend of “The Eagle
nd a camp fire rather than within these pages.

with the Junior team coming second overall and the Seniors Fifth. This
w members.It is interesting to note that fund raising, by Val Downie, re-
was also tasked with obtaining the names of business houses in and
o them.Items such as March Past Flags, Nipper caps etc were manu-
support structure that prevailed .

0s, gave way to the great aspirations of the members moving up from
us, Kim Parkes , Bushy Edwards , Guy Parkes, Leon Jutronich, James
Monthly inter squad competitions were implemented commencing the
rew of seniors. Swim tests were conducted at the Cabana Beach pool
cilities in the rapidly growing village.

al point of the club membership after the pubs closed at 10pm. Posi-
patronage of the members that had spent the evening in the rubber

t had started in the mid-70s and was an annual event thereafter. The
o had progressed to fishing in the waters off Umhlanga, took part.
hotel and the village was effectively in carnival mode during the festival.
the cane fields near Blackburn Village , a wild new year’s eve gathering

1977ainbeach.

The year began with one of the first, Holiday Inn Sponso

guidance of Tony Scott and Bevan Warlock, both springbok sur
day Inn and these funds were utilised to cover the costs of a n

A proposal to reduce duty squads from 6 to 5 members w

years later the duty squads comprise 4 members who are now
vourable reports from the beach manager’s office and congratu

The SPA classes that were being conducted in April of th

indication that a strong ladies team was in the making. Names
Coetzer were synonymous with the rise of a ladies team that did
more in the following year and the ladies team went on to perfo

L i f e m e m b e r s h i p was bestowed on Tony Rowney, Gordo

langa long run was held and club members performed well w
Pearce in 18th position

1

ored, foam skis being manufactured by club members under the
rf ski paddlers at that time. Funds had been donated by the Holli-
new ski.

as defeated early in this year but it is interesting to note that 30
paid to do duties. The club, at this time, continued to receive fa-
ulatory correspondence from the local councillors.

his year comprised 5 ladies and one gentleman. This was the first
s such as Debbie Benorkis, Lisa Everitt, Sally Clarke and Cathy
d Umhlanga Rocks SLSC proud. These ladies were joined by many
orm very well in the last year of the decade and into the 80s.

n Macmillan and Dennis Everitt. The Umhlanga >Umdhloti> Umh-
with S Evans in 7th position, D Morris in 11th position and John

1978

The juniors did w
congratulated for their strong
Girls team, resplendent in their Skirts and shirts with g
whole The senior team was positioned 6th out of the
SA Nipper champs.

On Friday 28/07/78, The club 25th anniversary was

Allan Dunbar and Keith (Punchy) Howlett, members fro
club. The year ended with the normal New Year ’s Eve b

well at SA Champs and Steven Evans and his team was
performance in various events. The newly introduced junior
green costumes, proved to be an inspiration to the team as a
e 20 teams entered . The nipper team won the March Past at

s celebrated

m the 60s, were this year given honorary membership of the
bamboo cutting and party.

















of Bushy Edwards,
Mike Groom, Gordon MacMillan, Wally

The exploitsAsh Engel, Torbin Vannan, Lance Robertson, Charlie “Mental” Bentel, and other
Grant Garret, Leon Jutronich and Garth Berg, but they were to move oversea
(cousin of Shaun – famous surfer), Brain and Colin Potgieter and the “Bank” gro
members but were more into surfing than lifesaving, although they hung aroun
Gavin Draft, Richard Shorey, James “Moon” Mullen and Greg and Tony Fendt w

Craig (Jack) Hudson, Peter and Paul Goss, Trevor Raw, Kit Case, Derrick Matthew,
deRobillard, Rocky Van Eyssen, Martin Jordaan, Derrick Mathews, Keith Gracie,
rs were legendary. There were other well remembered names such as Leigh and
as early in the 80’s. Others like Warren and Craig Freeguard, George Thomson
oms like Steve Vinicombe and Bobby and Dave Renaud (Natal Surfers) were club
nd the clubhouse often. Others that stood out in that era were brothers Ian and
who competed well, did their duties and were active in every club activity.

THE EARLY 1980’S CREW AT THE BEACH:
GRANT AND LEIGH GARRET, LANCE
ROBERTSON, JAMES MULLEN, GARTH
BERG, RICHARD SHOREY, GUY PARKS,
CHARLIE “MENTAL” BENTEL, WITH A
YOUNG STEVEN HONEYSETT (RED PEAK

TragAnitocnavlaln yNiekerk (
died at his home
Othe

“Gone but n

in the 80s were Stan Lambert (1980), Mickey Hall-Jo

Derek Downey, Wayne Goschen, Oliver Shorey moved up from nippers to
Chris “Goliath” Engle, Alan Matus, Rob Hoekstra, Ross “Plug” Marlen (who
very good junior team that competed well at champs, won many pennant
Landed” episode at one PE SA Champs can testify. They were joined later
nuel. Some girls that were moving though junior ranks were Cherese Swan,
Clarke and Cathy Coetzer.

(Springbok swimmer and star URSLC beltman)
e of heart failure in 1983.
ers who were

not Forgoen”

ones (1981), Robin Hollens (1987) and Cliff Honeysett (1989)

juniors and then to seniors, joined by Kevin “Half Moon” Mullen, Oscar “Spike” Dyke,
o could down a pint in under a second and won many drinks in return). They formed a
ts and went on to become great seniors. They were naughty too, as the “Eagle has

by good competitors like Berwick Drury, Collins Gibs, Eddie van Os and Trevor Emma-
, Gwynne Meyer, Robyn Meyers, Debbie Farnham, Lisa Everitt, Debbie Benorkis, Sally

A 1980’S SENIOR TEAM OF WAYNE GOSCHEN, DEREK DOWNEY, BERWICK
DRURY, KEVIN MULLEN, CHRIS ENGEL, OSCAR DIKE, OLIVER SHOREY, GRAHAM
THURMAN. GUY PARKS, KEITH GRACIE, DEREK MORRIS AND PETER INGLE