Hello Team Tama! 

Welcome to the Thursday after our mighty Celebration of Women in SLSC Celebration!

We are still buzzing from last weekend, and this next profile is an absolute cracker and keeps the energy going! We are also celebrating that now, 30% of our active patrollers are women - go Tama!

This week, we have not just one but two fabulous Tama women profiles (great idea Michelle). Part of La Niña Bronzies, they signed up for our 2 for 1 Women’s offer and the rest is history. Introducing Veronica Depoi and Charlotte Mann.

I’ve met this dynamic duo with Patrol 7, on Rainbow Beaches Day and of course our all-star women patrol last weekend. They get involved in everything, are incredibly fun, and are great company on the beach.

Sophie, Co Patrol Captain of PC7 expands “Charlotte and Veronica are valuable new additions to patrol, they have brought great energy and are always willing to help with Nippers, eager to get out on boards and swim so make sure our patrol is super active, we are very glad to have them with us on P7”.

You are going to love this profile this week, put work/kids/study/virtual yoga on hold for a bit…learn more about these two wonderful new members.

Over to you Veronica and Charlotte, 

Zoe - VP

Dynamic Duo, Charlotte and Veronica, newest members of P7

Tell us a bit about yourself: 3 words that best describe you? 

Veronica: Determined, eco conscious, loyal (and my hubby says I'm brilliant)
Charlotte: Hilarious, loving, smart (and humble clearly)

How did you get into Surf Life Saving? How did you join Tama?

Veronica: I met Charlotte via Facebook during lockdown and we started working out together. I went for what I thought would be a chilled tanning sesh at Dawn Fraser Baths but there was actually no tanning allowed so I had to go for a paddle. I mentioned to Charlotte that I needed to get more into swimming and she said "Come join lifesaving with me! We can get a 2 for 1 deal because we're both amazing women". And so I did! I thought it would be a great way to get fit and meet more people in Sydney. 

Charlotte:  I had just moved to Sydney and was literally googling things to do. When Michelle emailed me back, she said that if I got a friend involved we could get a 2 for 1 women’s deal and I thought “I have literally 2 female friends in Sydney but okay”.  I’d met Veronica in lockdown and asked whether she would be keen to do the Bronzie course with me and she said yes. Once I’d committed to helping her train for the swim there was no way out. Why Tamarama? I thought the name was cool :)

La Nina Bronzies on the day it didn’t rain

What are the best things about being part of the Surf Life Saving community?

Veronica: From day 1 of our bronzies course we had a new family. Everyone is so lovely and so inviting and will really go above and beyond. It's also a great way to give back and the perfect excuse to spend as much time as possible at the beach (and no one can say I'm buying too many togs).

Charlotte: The people you meet, the friends you make, the sense of community, the feeling that you have people in your corner in a city where you’re away from your family and friends. Oh, and obviously looking like Baywatch and saving lives.

How would you describe our community at Tama?

Veronica: The sense of community is so evident from the start. It's like a warm hug :) 
Charlotte: Inclusive, fun, positive. You can be your full self at Tama.

Belated graduation swim on Australia day, when the sun and the ocean were cooperating

What has been your biggest achievement from being part of Surf Lifesaving?

Veronica: Passing my bronzie course. That was no mean feat! I really couldn't have done it without the support of Taga, Michelle giving me 'remedial' surf swimming lessons, and all the trainers and Charlotte for her constant encouragement and for believing in me from the start. 

Charlotte: Being the first ever Bronzie to get a head injury AND fail the practical assessment on the first go. Seriously though, coming back to Bondi at 6am on a Sunday morning to re-do the unconscious board rescue assessment and looking up from the ocean to see my Bronzie group cheering me on (and subsequently passing), was truly special. Also proof that even the most uncoordinated of people can eventually pass.

La Nina Bronzies with Taga, legendary trainer for the Sunday group

Tell us about what you do when not on the beach at Tama looking after people?

Veronica: You'll usually find me yacht racing on Sydney Harbour, Tuesday afternoon women's races are a particular favourite. If I'm not there I'll be playing with Alfie, my Pomeranian or exploring Sydney with my husband.  

Charlotte: I’m a lawyer, which keeps me pretty busy. I also rescue cats, read a lot, swim a lot (Veronica and I kept up our training and are basically ready for the Olympics now) run a little, and (try to) surf.

Favourite place to go for food in Sydney?

Veronica: Flying Fajita Sisters in Glebe, followed by Baja Cantina in Glebe, followed by anywhere that has good Mexican food and margaritas. 

Charlotte: This is so lame but Harris Farm. We didn’t have it in Brisbane and I’m constantly amazed at all the bougie delicious food. Anyone that knows me also knows I basically live on cereal and they also have a pretty good cereal range.

Ideal holiday destination right now?

Veronica: I just got back from 4 weeks traveling around the USA which was truly a life-changing holiday. I'm keen to go back sailing around French Polynesia. 

Charlotte: I’d love to go to South America or India. After Covid though, my standards are pretty low so really anywhere where I can read a good book, eat good food, and log out of my work emails.

What would be your advice to any woman thinking to give surf lifesaving a go?

Veronica: Go for it! It's easy to be intimidated and think that everyone in surf lifesaving is a super seasoned ocean swimmer but it's not like that (and I certainly wouldn't call myself a great ocean swimmer). You'll be given the training and support you need and you'll find an amazing community to be part of. If you have a friend that is even kind of thinking about doing it, reach out to Tama, talk to someone about it and definitely do the women's 2 for 1. I wouldn't have had the courage to do this without Charlotte there, getting dunked with me. 

Charlotte: 1. Bit cheesy but feel the fear and do it anyway. 2. Commit to doing the whole course - it will be worth it. 3. If you have a friend, definitely invite them along (you may end up becoming besties like Veronica and I!). 4. Most importantly, and I cannot stress this enough, try not to get a concussion.

La Nina Bronzies, clearly not getting along with each other ;)

What have you learned from your time at Tama? What has been something you have learned that has surprised you.

Veronica: I've learned how much I can achieve if I put my mind to it. Ask me this time last year and I would never have thought I'd have done half the things I've learned to do through surf lifesaving. I've been surprised how much I love it and how much I want to keep training and get better. 

Charlotte: The ocean is a beast, I am braver than I think, and surf lifesaving will give you the warm & fuzzies AND the opportunity to give back to others. Also, Tama is the best club to join on the Eastern Beaches.

Did we mention their contagious energy? 

Veronica and Charlotte, you are a) incredibly funny - Charlotte “Veronica and I kept up our training and are basically ready for the Olympics now”,  b) absolutely wonderful members of our club, as Veronica says ‘the sense of community is so evident from the start, it's like a warm hug :)’  c) never leave Tama as we see you as future leaders of Tama. 

Thank you so much for joining us.