Sunday Tribune writes that the hit song ‘A Shabby Little Hut’ by The Bats with the lyrics “a shabby little hut by the dock, down by the sea” was a major hit in the swinging 1960s.  

It was also the signature tune of the first ragtag band of lifesavers on Addington Beach, whose wooden hut was set up in 1963, making it the first base for the Marine Surf Lifesaving Club (Marine SLC).  The club is now eThekwini’s single biggest supplier of trained lifesavers, who are sought after nationally and internationally.  It supplies lifeguards for eThekwini beaches and beyond, which includes lifesaving at pools around the country, as well as work beyond SA’s borders such as in Dubai and the Caribbean.  The club finished 8th in this season World Lifesaving Championships in Australia - the only SA team in the world’s top 20 - as well as winning the national open water championships, as well as being crowned National Grand aggregate champions and KZN Senior and Junior champions.  Described as an “unprecedented unbeaten season”, it is a far cry from the club’s humble beginnings.

• Read the full original of this Sunday Tribune report by Tanya Waterworth and Ziyanda Mgandela here

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