GEORGE NEWS - A Wilderness surfer who paddled into rough seas to rescue a struggling swimmer was recognised for his bravery at the NSRI's 59th AGM and Awards Evening at Club Mykonos in Langebaan on Friday 14 August.
Cade Harris (21) received an NSRI Bravery Bronze Award after risking his own safety to help a 29-year-old man in serious trouble at Lientjiesklip, Wilderness Beach, in January.
Harris was observing two swimmers when he saw them get into difficulty in some heavy shore-break waves. He immediately paddled towards them on his surfboard and reached one exhausted swimmer from Upington, who was barely conscious.
He managed to get the man onto his surfboard and kept him afloat until NSRI rescue swimmers and lifeguards arrived.
The man was discharged from hospital the following morning. The other man had managed to reach the rocks and make his way back to shore without assistance.
"I am extremely grateful that my save was recognised and that I was able to receive the award. The award is great, but I hope this save sheds more light on how dangerous our coastline is and how important it is to get the point across to all the holidaymakers coming down to visit," Harris said.
"I'm just so happy that I could help save a life, and if the opportunity arises, which hopefully it doesn't, I will do it 100 times over."
Although he couldn't attend the award ceremony, Harris was among a number of civilians and NSRI volunteers recognised for acts of bravery, gallantry and long service. His award was received on his behalf by Wilderness NSRI Station Commander Jonathan Britton.
The awards evening also recognised long-serving NSRI members, including Ian Hamilton of Station 15 Mossel Bay, who was honoured for an extraordinary 55 years of service.
Among those receiving 25-year long service awards and honorary life membership were Declan Nurse, Grant van Staden and Jerome Simonis of Station 12 Knysna, as well as Marc Rodgers and Neal Stephenson of Station 14 Plettenberg Bay.
Two members of the NSRI, Hamilton and Patrick van Eyssen of Station 3 Table Bay, were recognised for 55 years of service.
The evening's top honours went to the NSRI crew and a member of the public involved in a dramatic rescue at Grootdraai Dam in Mpumalanga in December 2025.
Wilderness NSRI Station Commander Jonathan Britton receives Cade Harris' award from Jonathan Velloza.
NSRI CEO Michael Vonk during the NSRI Awards and AGM 2026 eveing at Club Mykonos. Photos: Andrew Ingram/NSRI‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
