Life saving sport is the only sport in the world that has a humanitarian purpose: to train and certify life savers, and it played an important part in the development of competitive swimming. The competitive aspect of the sport involves pool and surf lifesaving, although in South Africa there is little cross-over between the two disciplines, as surf lifesaving is run by voluntary clubs, while non-competitive "professional" lifeguards are employed by municipalities.
There are numerous articles related to lifesaving in the newspapers included on this website, often included with swimming reports.
Since 1993 the International Life Saving Federation has governed the combined surf and pool activities, although lifesaving has never been governed by SAASU or FINA. Every two years the International Life Saving Federation organizes the Lifesaving World Championships, called Rescue Series.
In South Africa the surf lifesaving clubs continue to patrol the beaches and have surf and beach events, while the pool lifesavers have their own in the pool. Durban Surf Lifesaving club have twice won the world chapionships!