SOUTHSIDE SECRETS

To the rescue

Nicole Slater dives into the history of the Hong Kong Life Saving Society

Hidden at the far end of Repulse Bay beach is a beautiful building flanked on either side by two tall statues. It would be easy to mistake this location for a temple, but it is in fact the training headquarters for the Hong Kong Life Saving Society (HKLSS).

Formerly known as the Hong Kong Life Guard Club, the HKLSS was formed in 1956 after Lord Mountbarren, Grand President of the Royal Lifesaving Society, expressed to the Governor of Hong Kong his wish to establish a life saving organisation. It was established in 1960, with Lord Mountbarren as president.

Today, HKLSS is the only organisation in Hong Kong that conducts lifesaving examinations. Its main aims are to provide voluntary lifeguarding services to support the government lifeguards at public pools and beaches and to promote water safety.

The society’s training headquarters began life as a small room above a convenience store, which is still open for business today. Back then, around 200 youths were brought to the beach on a weekly basis to be supervised and taught by members of the society.

Concerned by the riots in the 1960’s, the government wanted to promote more youth recreation to prevent delinquency.

Eventually in 1972 the training headquarters were extended, with the support of the government.

Upon visiting the premises you’ll find, colourful statues dotted around the outside of HKLSS’s training headquarters.

“Some of the statues are from China. There were riots there so antiques and statues were being damaged. They were brought to Hong Kong in order to save and preserve them,” says Anthony Chan, chairman of HKLSS.

“The two large statues at the front are Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea and Kwun Yum, Goddess of Mercy. People pray here before setting out to sea,” says Chan.

“Chinese people are very superstitious. In the past many people refused to save people who were drowning. They believed that if you did, the ghosts from the sea would claim your life as a substitute. But with Kwun Yum and Tin Hau looking over you, it’ll bring good luck.”

Chan joined in 1958 and has been at HKLSS ever since.

“I believe the work we do is very meaninging because we help a lot of people.”

Over the last 60 years the HKLSS has saved over 32,000 lives and hopes to save many more. hklss.org.hk