​​​​Meet Our Volunteers

I became involved in WSFL when I went to Vietnam in May 2012 where I assisted Tanya Carmont in teaching and training within the Swim Vietnam program.  That was the start of my commitment to WSFL. My role is teaching, training and involvement with the Development Program.

I am also on the committee as Assistant Secretary. What attracted me to the organisation was the Volunteering and offering your skills is the best feeling ever.  Knowing that you are helping someone to be safe in the water and enjoy the benefits of swimming. What motivates me to continue is seeing the progression of a non-swimmer becoming a competent swimmer and being able to enjoy our water environment safely. The gratitude from our students is overwhelming – it makes it all worthwhile and very rewarding.

To be a volunteer and help someone, in any way, is very rewarding.  My favorite part in teaching swimming is when your student achieves something that they thought they could never do, for example, floating.  The excitement of each progression of swimming and then finally swimming is so rewarding. The most rewarding for me is teaching the Tibetans to swim and having some of them progress to be swimming teachers. What I have learnt from volunteering is how rewarding it is.

I joined WSFL as a trainee swim teacher in 2018, never teaching before but I learnt everything I need to know about swim teaching from the most amazing teachers  at WSFL.  

After gaining my Austwim Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety qualification I volunteered as swim instructor to teach children and adults about the importance of swim safety and how to improve their swimming skills.  I have always liked the idea of teaching and love the water so it was a perfect fit.  I love seeing the smiling faces every lesson. And seeing people improve is so rewarding, knowing you are helping individuals with their goals.  I love it, it’s so much fun and you make so many friends.

I love seeing the little kids giggling while they splash you with water, they are just having so much fun.  My most rewarding experience has been helping a child who has an extreme fear of water but in the end he was able to float on his back and see that water was his friend.  

I have learnt so much! I have learnt how important it is to know how to swim and be safe in the water, but I have also learnt patience for those who might take a little longer to learn than others.

I joined in 2012 about 8 years ago.  I heard about the program and as a swimmer and a member of a swimming group wanted to become a swim teacher and volunteer.  I became a trainee with the program and became qualified. I am currently the assistant treasurer of the organisation and a volunteer swim teaching assisting in both Collaroy Turtles and Tibetan Community swim programs.  

What attracted me also was that this was an important initiative in our local community. What motivates me to keep volunteering is seeing great results with non-English speaking people becoming good swimmers.  Also, great co-workers.  

We are all part of the team, it is nice to be appreciated and watching all the students smile is my favorite part. My most rewarding experience has been a nine year Tibetan boy doing well at his school's swimming carnival. What I have you learnt from volunteering is that It is important to be reliable.

I came to Australia in the 80's. Australia has given me the opportunity to achieve my career and to have a healthy and happy family. Now that I have achieved my personal goal, I would like to give something back to the community that nurtured me.
Volunteering for the WSFL began in 2015. The dedication and commitment of the volunteers in this organisation attracted me to stay and get involved in other aspects of their program. Teaching children to be safe in and around water environment is a rewarding experience I cherished.

I joined WSFL in 2011 as a volunteer swim instructor.  I was attracted by the need to educate and hopefully reduce drownings, this is what motivates me. The biggest thing I have learned from volunteering is there is no dollar value on saving a life. I am passionate about swimming and water safety and to empower others to enjoy the aquatic environment is very rewarding.

I joined in February 2017 when I read about Tanya and the Collaroy Turtles in the SMH. I was a trainee and went through the program and became a swim instructor.  WSFL has given me the opportunity to be part of a volunteer group that provides free/low cost swimming lessons. I am motivated by the great teachers and students; learning new skills.

Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity by sharing the pleasure of being able to swim and be safe in the water with the learners. The most rewarding experience is giving children the confidence to float and move through the water unsupported. What I have learnt from volunteering is to be happy to share my time and expertise for such a worthwhile organisation.

I Joined in 2018 as a volunteer swim instructor.  I was interested in working with refugees - people who have gone through some the toughest conditions that life throws at you.  What motivates me to stay is the people and my favourite part is that I am learning all the time and improving my skills as swim instructor. The thing I have learnt most about volunteering is patience and working with people has its own rewards.

I’ve been with WSFL since it started, 2010.  My role is  a volunteer Swim Teacher. I’m also a part of the team that helps to develop the swim programs for WSFL and I’m one of the Social Media Administrators – creating content and photographing the programs that we run. I believe in the need to make swimming lessons and water safety accessible to all people, no matter their age, cultural background, or financial situation. WSFL does this. What motivates me to stay is that I love what WSFL offers the community. I continue to enjoy teaching people to swim and become safe around the water.

I believe that there is a principle in life about us being generous with what we have…with WSFL it’s the fact that I can give to the community a skill that I love; being able to swim, be safe & enjoy the water…I’m sure I get way more out of volunteering than I give.  The most rewarding experience is seeing adults who haven’t grown up around water, or who are scared (for any number of reasons), overcome these barriers and learn to swim. It is such a privilege to be a small part of their journey.

 What have you learned from volunteering is that I get waaaaaaaaaaaay more out of it than I give.

I want to help improve my swimmers to become the best they can be. To watch my students, swim their personal best times breaking records at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games will be an absolute pleasure being their swim coach one day. It’s part of me because I am a swimmer and the more I dream the further I get.  I joined Water Skills For Life in 2012 and they assisted me in getting qualified as a swim teacher. I am now a volunteer, swimming teacher and an assistant coach with the team.  I was attracted to Water Skills for Life for participating in the Tibetan Swim Program. I am intrigued by the water safety skills that is able to save lives in a teamwork environment.  I stay involved because swimming is my passion and I always put in 100% effort being determined and committed. It is my sport; the pool is my home and the water are my friends. This motivates me to stay involved because I found something I love doing and I never give up.

I like being a volunteer. It gives me a chance to try something new and build a real sense of achievement. My favourite part is seeing the students improve on their swimming drills and having fun. I appreciate meeting new people and being part of a wonderful community.

The most rewarding experience is the moment when I realise all the hard work, all my intense training for doing all those Saturday afternoon sessions are now worth it. It helped me gain experience, confidence and growth to become a better swimming instructor/coach.

What I have learned from volunteering is developing my knowledge on different swimming styles, techniques and work experience in the field. Learning how to the teach the Tibetan community from all age groups how to swim and about water safety. 

I joined Water Skills For Life as a trainee swim teacher in 2015 after I had attended and was taught to swim in their program.  The role I have is a volunteer swim teacher which I really enjoy.  I was attracted to the organisation as it helped me achieve my goal of helping others and WSFL supported the Tibetan community and provided me in learning how to swim and get qualifications to teach. I am motivated to continue on as the appreciation of the families for my effort and the happiness I get knowing that I am using what I know to help others learn a skill that can potentially save their lives.

Volunteering leaves a positive impact on the community and it allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place.  My favourite part of volunteering is that even helping with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people and organisations.

For me, my most rewarding experience would be seeing young children completely afraid of water and over time seeing them become strong swimmers.

Additionally, throughout the 5 years that that I volunteered with Water skills for life, I have built a positive image for myself in the Tibetan community. Volunteering taught me confidence, expanded my network, and boosted my social skills.