Beach Matters
May 31st, 2008 
I was watching the large swell of the sea from a garden high up on Nkwazi drive when I was amazed to see what looked like dolphin circling in the main swimming area. I took out my binoculars and was horrified to see that it was a man waving his arms around above his head. Sometimes only his arms were visible as his head was submerged. Either he was calling his friends in to join him in the swell, or he was drowning and needed help. It suddenly struck me how poorly equipped we are for any emergency at Zinkwazi. Who on earth would I phone. As I searched through my contacts, I was relieved to see a yellow float come into view and along with it a second man swim up to the ‘victim’. I later heard that what I had seen was lifesavers in training. I have since established that when we need to call for help it is Frikkie, on his cell we should call. His number is 0724562036
When it comes to boats rafts and fishing, I’m at sea. I asked Eileen Kretschmar, former secretary of the Ski Boat Club to give me a little info on the way things are so smoothly run down at the club on the sand. She and Ted her seafaring fisherman husband have been involved for many years and seem to have the answers. She sent me the following and promised to keep me updated. Happenings at the beach will be posted on our Categories listed as ‘Beach Happenings’
WB
Launch Site requirements
a) Daily Visitors
|
Permit Required for
|
Lagoon
|
Sea | Total |
| R200-00 | 1 day | 1 day | |
| R400-00 | 2-7 days | 2-7 days | |
| R800-00 | 8-14 days | 8-14 days | |
| R1200-00 | 15-21 days | 15-21 days | |
|
For longer periods Visitors must join the Club |
|||
| Total Amount | |||
|
Deposit on Gate Key
|
|||
| Receipt No. | |||
| Grand Total |
The above costs are subject to change.
Forms are available at the Ski Boat Club Club, where payment is made.
Frikkie controls the keys to the Launch Site on the Beach and the Lagoon keys are available from the Club. Most Members pay for an Annual Lagoon Permit with their Subs. and get a Lagoon key as well as the sticker.
b)Hours of Business
The Club is open every day except Mondays and Tuesdays. Hours vary according to Season but generally Wednesday and Thursday it opens at around 16h30 and Fridays
at 13h00. Saturdays and Sundays from about 09h00. The Club close at 23h00 unless by arrangement.
c)Relevant Names/Numbers
Louis Bezuidenhout is Chairman – 0832502613
Sharon Folkes Morris - Secretary – 0324853618
Frikkie Smit – Beach Manager – 0724562036
d)Licences
The Club Committee operates the Launch Site under Licence from the Kwa Dukuza Municipality, who, in turn, receive the official Licence from DEAT. The Club also holds
the necessary Liquor and Radio Licences in order to operate legally. The renewal of the
DEAT Licence is due this year and it is hoped that they will grant more daily launches but the general consensus of opinion that this is unlikely. At the moment we are
permitted to allow a maximum of 12 per day (ALL craft – which includes jet ski owners who simply want to ‘play’ in the shore break).
It goes without saying that all craft need to be registered, have Safety/Inspection
Certificates and all the requisite Safety equipment.
There are copies of Rules and Regulations for both Lagoon Skippers and Deep Sea Skippers available from the Secretary and each new boating member is required to
sign for these and acknowledge that their craft comply.