Trustee for Surf Life Saving Great Britain
24 Oct 2024 I’m super excited to share that I have been elected to serve on the Board of Trustees for Surf Life Saving Great Britain.
Surf Life Saving Great Britain (SLSGB) is the national governing body whose purpose is to save lives and prevent drowning.
With over 10,000 members and about to celebrate its 70 year anniversary (2025), its an incredibly exciting time to join the charity.
It was through my local surf club in Cornwall, St Agnes Surf Lifesaving Club, that I trained to be a lifeguard, and it’s transformed and enriched my life.
This summer I re-qualified as a lifeguard in St Agnes, Cornwall. It’s one of my favourite things to do and gives me so much: a sense of service to the community; nature-connection; fun and fitness. I’m still waiting for the red speedos though!
I was also completely stoked (I’m not really young or cool enough to use that term, but just go with it) to complete the swim from Bawden Rocks back to the beach – a nearly 3km open water swim in fairly deep water!
I haven’t always been confident in the water, though, as I share below…
When I got caught in a rip and out of my depth at St Agnes beach (Trevaunance Cove) in 2013, I could barely swim. I was scared. Thankfully, a lifeguard spotted me, and I got rescued. If he’s still out there….thank you!
The following day, I shared the story live on Radio 2….
Since moving to St Agnes in 2014, I’ve been continually inspired by the local surf club, the community, and the way in which the kids are taught water safety from such a young age. As our girls were beginning to grow in confidence, I realised that if I wanted to join them in the water, I better start learning…
With the incredible support of swimming teachers, the ongoing guidance from all the team at
St Agnes Surf Life Saving Club – I started feeling a lot more confident in the water.
And in 2022, I qualified as a lifeguard. Patrolling the same beach where I was rescued a few years ago. It was pretty surreal!
I’ve still got a hell of a lot to learn, and my swimming technique still needs to improve, but I’ll get there.
Last year, my new year’s resolution was to ‘
be like water‘. The way I saw it was, if you want to be like water, there’s no better place to start than getting into it.
I guess what I really want to say is this: don’t let anyone place any limits on you. With the support of a community, friends, and a bit of determination, you can do anything and be anything you set your heart to.
ps Always swim between the flags!
