CAPE WESTERN AREA
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The Sea Scout Base at Sandvlei is set against the picturesque scenery of Muizenberg Mountain, the sea, the beach and a safe lake that is ideally suited to Scouting activities. The Cape Town city centre lies 20km north of the Base and can be easily reached by train. The Base is run under the auspices of Cape Western Area Sea Scouts, South African Scout Association. All Sea Scout Groups within the immediate vicinity of Cape Town have boatsheds at the base, in which their boats and related equipment are kept. There are also boats that belong to the Base which can be hired out to Sea, Air and Land Scouts from all over the country, as long as they have the required sailing or pulling skills.
The Sea Scout Base is also used for the very important task of training Scouts in the Lifesaving, Boatman, Helmsman and Boatswain Interest Badges. The Scoutcraft Watermanship and Sailing Badges courses are also run during the course of a year. These courses are naturally open to any Land, Air or Sea Scout. Training for the Charge Certificate is held for senior Scouts and Scouters. Skills learnt on these courses are put into practice at regattas which are held three times a year and other activities such as the annual Seamanship Competition and the Kontiki Raft building Competition. Kontiki attracts Scouts, Girl Guides and Ranger Guides from all over Cape Town. In addition to the activities at the Base, there is also the ocean going keelboat Rotary Scout which has regular on-board courses and various sailing activities, including weekend trips for Patrols that want to do their First Class hike with a difference. |
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The
Saldanha dinghy, a 4.9m sliding gunter rigged boat, is the most frequently used
boat by the Sea Scouts. It is a robust training boat and is very forgiving even
in the good winds that prevail at Sandvlei. There is a rescue boat manned by the
Base staff should a boat ever get into the slightest trouble and require
assistance.