1969 - 2023

Bondi’s Louise Santos continues to rewrite records and smash stereotypes in the lifesaving world. She moved to Bondi in 2003 and became vice captain of Bassingthwaighte Patrol at Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club (BSBLSC) from 2006-08. The patrol is named after Rothe “Basso” Bassingthwaighte, who was club patrol captain on ‘Black Sunday’ in February 1938 when Australia’s largest mass rescue of 250 people took place when freak waves swept swimmers out to sea.

Santos’s achievements include four consecutive Australian titles in the Open Female Rescue and Resuscitation event and winning medals in two other Open titles. She has competed in more than 40 Australian and World Mastersevents, showing her versatility in board, swim, ironwoman and surf-ski events. She was Bondi’s first female winner of an Australian title at the Masters Ironwoman event, in large seas on the Gold Coast in 2004-05. Santos was also in Bondi SBLSC’s first female Masters team to compete at Australian titles in Perth in 2007-08. That year, she was the first female to complete the gruelling Gold Medallion at Bondi.

Dee Why Nippers, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, peaked Santos’s early interest in life saving. After moving to Bondi as an adult, she began patrolling with the BSBLSC, clocking up a 10-year long service award as an exemplary role model for young members and a shining example of the values the surf lifesaving movement.

Santos has held senior club roles including director of competition in 2006 and board captain for eight years from 2013 and has spent years coaching cadet age competition groups.

Since becoming a mother, she has become more involved at Nippers. “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,” she says. She continues to share her passion for surf lifesaving with hundreds of local children.

In 2018, aged 49, Santos took on an endurance event once considered too difficult for females: the Coolangatta Gold Long Course. She finished in second place in the 35-49 age group. She regards it as one of her proudest achievements.

In 2023 Louise died suddenly while on holiday in France. A vigil was held on Bondi Beach with hundreds in attendance.

Courtesy Bondi Surf Bathers Surf Life Saving Club.