Tia Stewart

Our current Director of Communications, Tia has been a member of Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club for 10 years. In this 10 years, Tia has served as a First Aid Team Leader at our Special Events, Patrol Vice Captain, First Aid Officer and Patrol Mentor. Outside of Surf Life Saving Tia is an Occupational Therapist and is passionate about her work and this area of healthcare.

What inspired you to join the surf life saving movement?

I have always loved being in water and Surf Life Saving had a reputation for having a fun and supportive culture so I was really excited to do it when I joined at 16.

Why should females within our community participate in the surf life saving movement?

Women should participate in the Surf Life Saving movement because it’s an outlet where we are encouraged to go as far as we are capable of and beyond. There are so many invaluable opportunities that in our day to day lives we rarely have the opportunity to do and it is an amazingly supportive community where you make friends for life.

What opportunities have been offered to you through the surf life saving movement?

Through Surf Life Saving I have had the opportunity to be a part of saving hundreds of people’s lives. But the perks have been Crewing Boats and Jet Skis, swimming with Dolphins and having a ‘Second family’ and home away from home. Having the opportunity to be on the Board of Directors where I have learnt more than I can think of about how an organisation is run and the work involved in keeping it operational. I have had the opportunity to work with the press and publish articles and work as a manager as the head of a team, something I may never get the opportunity to do in my professional life.

What would you say to a young girl considering joining her local surf club?

You will make friends that you will never forget, have more fun than you can imagine, be someone’s hero and achieve more than you thought possible. Just give it a go!