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<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nTreacherous sea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Noordwijk Rescue Brigade and its lifeguards are now an integral part of the Noordwijk beach. Last summer, they once again proved their worth, pulling swimmers and bathers out of dangerous waters. Wim Star, former instructor, commander, skipper, board member and more, knows better than anyone that the sea can be treacherous. At 84, he is one of the oldest members. He belongs to a number of classic, dedicated brigade families, where spouses got to know each other through lifeguarding and subsequent generations are also active as lifeguards. Wim explains that most beach visitors are unaware of the dangers of the sea. 'Most visitors do not prepare for their visit to the beach. They don't read the signs on the promenade and the exits and don't delve into the meaning of the flags.' He gives an example. 'We used to cordon off dangerous mounds many times with red flags and life preservers. Promptly, people go into the sea just inside those ribbons. There are also a number of people who deliberately ignore instruction or advice. Or who react with irritation when we patrol the waterline with the brigade car at high tide on full beaches. People don't always realize that you're there for their safety and rescue operations for the lifeguards also involve risks.'<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Past and Present<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wim started his swimming training at 13 and then moved on to the lifeguard training, as he still does today. When he joined the lifeguard service in '53, rowing was still done with a large wooden raft, with 4 rowers and 1 helmsman. Rowing patrols off the coast demanded a lot of training and muscle power. Wim: 'It was quite an art to row such a raft through the surf and back to the post. Boats with 5 HP engines followed, as well as an aluminum boat called the Pearly Miss and BRBs (BondReddingsBoot). Nowadays we use RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boat) with 75 HP. The brigade's tasks also include first aid, from splinters and broken bones to resuscitation, and catching and searching for missing children and people on the beach. 'On a nice day we had as many as 100 missing children. Thanks in part to the distribution of bracelets on which parents can write their 06 numbers, this no longer happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Swimming as a basis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Enrico Hazenoot (60 years old) held various positions, including swimming instructor. Initially in Wassenaar where the brigade went with its own bus services, accompanied by Erika Star, Wim's wife, among others. Later in the Noordwijkse Bollenbad, now BloemenZee. Enrico: \"Elementary swimming is really the foundation for being able to save yourself. This is often underexposed. That's why swimming training is an important pillar of the Noordwijk Rescue Brigade. We want to inform people from an early age about the dangers of the sea and teach them how to deal with them. At the rescue brigade you can then specialize in saving people<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a few years now we have been running mouse swimming courses for children aged 10-12. These fortunately attract a lot of interest. Also from the national media, which allows us to reach even more children and their parents.<\/em>\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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