LOUISE SANTOS
Louise Santos joined Bondi SBLSC in 2003 after moving to Bondi from Dee Why.
She grew up on the Northern Beaches and was a Dee Why Nipper for several
years while competing at pool swim events and other sports. She gained
her Bronze Medallion at Bondi in 2003 and quickly became Vice Captain of
Bassingwaithe Patrol from 2006-2008 and attained her Long Service award
after ten years of Patrols.
She won four consecutive Australian Titles in the Open Female Rescue and
Resuscitation event and medalled in two other Open titles. She won more than
40 Australian Masters and World Masters Titles events showing her versatility
in Ironwoman, RnR, Taplin Teams, Board Rescue, Ski Relay, Double Ski, Surf
Teams, Board Relay, tube race, surfboard riding, beach events and Pool
Rescue.
Bondi Life Member Nick Nezval estimates Lousie had entered more events
in the 2022 season than any competitor from any Surf Club in Australia,
demonstrating her diversity and commitment to the team.
She was the first Bondi female individual to win an Australian Title in 2004/05
winning a Masters Ironwoman event in large seas on the Gold Coast and
was a member of the first Bondi SBLSC Masters Female Team competing in
Australian Titles in Perth 2007/08.
Louise has been Bondi’s Women’s Club Champion four times (2006/07,
2007/08, 2009/10, 2012/13), a Member of Stan Mac Relay 2004/05 and she was
Harry Nightingale Open Patrol Person of the Year 2006/07. She was also the
first woman to complete the gruelling Gold Medallion at Bondi, in the 2008
season.
Louise became the Club’s Director of Competition (now Surfsports) in the
2005/06 season and excelled in the role. Honorary Secretary Peter Quartly
wrote of her in the 2006 Annual Report: “ I have always felt the Director of
Competition should be a non-competitor, however, Louise certainly made me
eat my words, with a fantastic job. Her performance was an eye opener and
just shows what can be done in the area.”
She held the roles of Youth Captain in 2016 and 2017, Board Captain spanning
2013-2016 and 2017-2023 and most recently Registrar in 2022.
Following her time as Youth Captain, Louise introduced the Cadet of the Month
and Cadet Patrol mentorship program in 2018, was the sole organiser of the
Cadet Movie and Pizza Night 2019 and Cadet Wet n Wild Water Park Day and
spent many years coaching Cadet age competition board groups (afternoon
board coaching 2009 and 2016).
Since becoming a mother, Louise became more involved at Bondi Nippers.
She said, “I am very lucky to have grown up in the beach environment and it is
special to be able to teach my son surf skills and nurture his love of the ocean.”
Since 2018 she has held the positions of Age Manager assistant and water
events Coach for three years, has been the Age Competition Manager 2019-
2021, Nippers Competition Manager in 2021 and State Nipper Team Manager
as well as Nipper board and swim Coach. She had shared her passion for Surf
Lifesaving with hundreds of local children.
Louise has been a consistent water safety volunteer and all-round volunteer for
20 years. She was part of the organising team for the Century Ball, organises
the annual Clubbie Classic barbecues, has been the liaison for the Nipper and
Senior Club barbecue since 2016, and has volunteered at every opportunity for
fundraisers and appeals including eighteen City to Surfs, Bush Fire Appeal and
every Bondi Blue Water Challenge since 2011. Louise did more than show up -
she organised, packed down and lent a hand whenever she could.
The crown in Louise’s distinguished competition career was completing the
Coolangatta Gold Long Course at the age of 49 in 2018, placing second in the
35-49 year age group. This was one of her proudest achievements as it was
previously considered an endurance event that females could not complete.
Louise is an outstanding member of the Bondi SBLSC. Her passion for Surf
Lifesaving and competition set her apart as an exemplary role model for all
Members and is a shining example of the values of modern inclusive Surf
Lifesaving.
15
117TH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2023/24