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Who are we / what do we do

Reddingsbrigade Noordwijk is an association of and for members. On March 9, 2021, the association will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Since our establishment, we have contributed to safe recreation by the sea on and around Noordwijk beach. We do this at a high, (semi-)professional level, in cooperation with other (emergency) organizations.

The Noordwijk Rescue Brigade works 'preventively' and 'repressively, correctively' on safety at sea. Preventive tasks include training (including swimming, Lifesaving), exercises, information and beach supervision (including patrols on the beach and sea). The so-called repressive, corrective and corrective tasks range from assistance and first aid, searching for and receiving foundlings and missing persons to rescue at sea (Search and Rescue; SAR).

Vision

In Noordwijk, you can enjoy a safe recreational time by the sea throughout the year. Inhabitants of Noordwijk, especially children, can swim in the swimming pool and in the sea. Through information and courses, they are aware of the dangers of the sea and know how to prepare themselves for a visit to the beach.

Mission

Preventing and fighting drowning (through training, information and education, (water) assistance and disaster relief)

Ambition

The NRB stands for safe recreation by the sea. An organization you can count on, want to be part of, or want to support in the broad sense of the word.

100 years of Rescue Brigade Noordwijk

Over the past century, the Reddingsbrigade Noordwijk has earned its place in society. Many members from Noordwijk and surroundings have been trained from swimmer to lifeguard and then to lifeguard on the 13 km long beach of our beautiful resort. The lifeguard stands for safety at sea, on the beach and in the dunes. All volunteers were and still are ready to rescue people and animals in need. 

Read here more about the 100th anniversary of Reddingsbrigade Noordwijk. 

History

Rescue Brigade Noordwijk was founded on Wednesday, March 9, 1921, during a meeting of the People's Union against Alcohol Abuse. The founding committee consisted of Burgermeerster van Panhuys and C. Hermanides, among others. A lecture was given by Mr. Meyerink of the Royal Dutch Association for the Rescue of Drowning Persons. "The rescue of drowning persons" was the central topic.

The objective was: "To place themselves at the service of drowning and shipwrecked persons and to provide practical assistance to all who need it as a result of accidents".

To achieve this objective, exercises would be held in swimming and swimming rescue and also first aid. Demonstrations, courses and lectures and stationing of rescue equipment were to be held. Twenty-two people immediately signed up (17 gentlemen and 5 ladies).

The Founding Board:
  • Chairman. C. Hermanides (physician)
  • Secretary G. Eskens (schoolmaster)
  • Treasurer. C. den Hollander (carpenter)
  • Member J. van Kan (blacksmith)
  • Member J. v. Beelen (profession unknown)
  • Honorary chairman: Jhr. W.C. van Panhuys

The rescue brigade immediately joined the Royal Dutch Association for the Rescue of Drowning Persons. The contribution was set at fl 2,50.

Reason for founding

The impetus for its establishment found its cause in:

  • The many drowning accidents at sea in earlier years, but particularly of the drowning of 15-year-old Girl Scout Jessey Staverman on Saturday, August 7, 1920.
  • The grounding of the Katwijk lugger KW 47 on 23 November 1919 and the capsizing of the lifeboat due to a grounding sea caused three rescuers to drown (Leendert Hellenberg, Hendrik Vink and Jan Cramer). Jan van Kan was the skipper of the second attempt which succeeded.
Man vs. Woman

Learning to swim and swim rescue got its follow up in guarding the beach.
In the summer of 1921, only the men of the NRB run lifeguard, the ladies start in 1928.