40 years of Women in Life Saving

Here we are standing on the shoulders of the women who laid the foundations for women in Surf Life Saving.

I joined Surf Life Saving in St Kilda for selfish reasons of wanting to Surf Boat Row like my eldest Sister. I ended up a Patrol Captain on BondI Beach with my husband a Patrol Captain at North Bondi.

My Patrol at Bondi surf club is Douglas Patrol. William “Bill” Douglas was a huge man. Quite literally and whilst a hero in the eyes of many he might be rolling over in his grave for my focus is on beach beach and keeping my kidlets safe.

We have 40+ people on Patrol. We are a HUGE patrol by any standards. We run with two Patrol Captains, two vice captains and a senior leadership that includes men on paternity leave.

Siobhan O'Toole